
Cerebrospinal Fluid And Serum Zinc, Copper, Magnesium And Calcium Levels In Children With Idiopathic Seizure
1841-1846
Correspondence
Dr. Rajniti Prasad,Sr Lecturer,Department of Pediatrics,Institute of Medical Sciences,Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi – 221005. (India).e
mail:rajnitip@yahoo.co.in
Objectives: The present study was conducted to observe the alteration and their relations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) levels in patients with different type of idiopathic seizure and to determine the ratios of serum and CSF Ca/Mg and Cu/Zn.
Methods: The children of aged 1 to 14 years, having two or more unprovoked seizures with normal MRI scan and abnormal EEG were included in study group. Control group consisted of 40 healthy children without seizure. Zn, Mg and Cu levels in CSF and serum were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Results: The study subjects included 34 generalized seizures (GS), 5 cases of simple partial seizure (SPS) and 5 Complex partial seizures (CPS). Serum copper (Cu) was significantly elevated (P-0.01) in children with seizure. Within seizure group, serum Mg was significantly increased in GS and serum copper (Cu) levels were significantly increased in CPS and GS as compared to control (p-0.001). However, calcium and zinc did not show any significant change in all groups. CSF Calcium was significantly increased in CPS patients. The ratio obtained for the levels of these parameters revealed a significant increase in serum Cu/Zn ratio (P-0.002) and CSF Ca/Mg (P-0.04) in patients with idiopathic seizure as compared to control. This ratio was also significant between SPS versus CPS and CPS versus GS.
Conclusion: The findings of present study suggest that high serum Cu and increased ratio of serum Cu/Zn and CSF Ca/ Mg may be responsible for enhanced neuronal excitability in children with idiopathic seizures.