Biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of biochemical abnormalities accompanying neonatal seizures is important for effective seizure control and to avoid further brain damage. The present study was carried out on 35 neonates to determine the frequency of various biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures. Diagnostic evaluation included estimation of levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, and blood glucose. Two-thirds of the neonates with seizures had biochemical disturbances in their sera. A variety of abnormalities occurred in asphyxiated infants, including hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Primary metabolic disorders accounted for one-forth of the cases of neonatal seizures, the most common being hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia/hypocalcemia, and hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia. Inappropriate intrauterine growth, inadequate feeding, and feeding with cow's milk were the main risk factors for primary metabolic seizures. Hyponatremia was a frequent finding in seizures resulting from brain damage like birth asphyxia, meningitis, and intracranial hemorrhage. No infant had hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, or low serum zinc.