A Study on Association of Serum Electrolytes in Febrile Seizures - A Prospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Centre in Hyderabad

Background: Brain, among many other human tissues and organs, may be influenced by electrolyte disturbances. Therefore, electrolytes need to be immediately recognized as they may cause severe and life- threatening complications when neglected or not appropriately treated. Seizures are often seen in patients with sodium disorders. Hence, our main objective of study was to assess the occurrence and association of dyselectrolytemia in febrile seizures. Methods: This is a prospective study conducted for one year in a tertiary care institute on 50 children having febrile seizures which is the study Group 1 and another 50 children who had fever but no seizures which constituted the Group 2 group. Serum electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium and Chloride) levels are measured in the above 100 children. Statistical analysis was done to assess the occurrence of dyselectrolytemia in febrile seizures. Results: The association between the demographic features of the children and the febrile seizures in them was not seen as the results obtained were not statistically significant. Among 50 children in the Group 1 with febrile seizures, 17 children had abnormal levels of serum sodium in the form of hyponatraemia. All the children in the other group with no febrile seizures had normal serum sodium levels. 11 children who had recurrent febrile seizures in the same febrile period also had low sodium levels. The association of serum potassium levels and chloride levels with febrile seizures was not noted as the results showed no statistical significance. Conclusions: Our study concludes that there is a significant association of serum electrolytes especially serum sodium levels with febrile seizures in children. Hence monitoring of the sodium levels in those with febrile seizures is of utmost importance in children not only to decrease the recurrence of seizures but also for effective prevention