Plasma prolactin in epilepsy and pseudoseizures

Postictal values of plasma prolactin levels were measured in 15 children with generalized seizures, 8 children with pseudoseizures and 6 control subjects. In patients with generalized seizure, the mean plasma prolactin level was 28.6 +/- 2.3 ng/ml, whereas in patients with pseudoseizures and in controls, its mean values were 10.4 +/- 3.8 ng/ml and 9.8 +/- 2.6 ng/ml, respectively. Thus, prolactin levels were significantly (p < 0.001) elevated following generalized seizures but were almost normal following pseudoseizures. Plasma prolactin levels may, therefore, be helpful in differentiating between generalized seizures and pseudoseizures.