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Melatonin and childhood refractory epilepsy--a pilot study
Justyna Paprocka1, Renata Dec, Ewa Jamroz
1Child Neurology Department, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland.
Background:
The aim of the study was to assess diurnal melatonin secretion in children with refractory epilepsy (N=74) as compared to children without epileptic seizures (N=37) and to compare melatonin secretion in children with focal and generalized refractory epilepsy.
Material/Methods:
In the study group 4 subgroups were defined: children with focal symptomatic epilepsy, focal cryptogenic epilepsy, generalized symptomatic epilepsy, and generalized cryptogenic epilepsy. Melatonin level was measured every 3 hours using the RIA method.
Results:
Analysis of diurnal melatonin secretion indicated a lower level of the hormone in patients with refractory epilepsy. The daily rhythm of melatonin secretion in the study group was maintained, with a peak shift of melatonin secretion especially visible in the subgroup with generalized symptomatic refractory epilepsy in the age group between 6 months and 3 years of age.
Conclusions:
The hypothesis may be formed that a lowered level of melatonin in the study group in relation to the comparison group is the consequence of the natural course of epilepsy or is influenced by antiepileptic drugs.
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