The Association between Hyponatremia and Recurrent Febrile Convulsions

Abstract

background: Febrile seizures are common pediatric problem, yet there is a great deal of disagreement about the appropriate diagnostic evaluation of a child with this disorder. Different predisposing factors have been suggested to enhance the susceptibility to febrile seizure and its recurrence. Fever play an important role in causing disturbances in fluid and electrolytes balance, hyponatremia has been thought to enhance the susceptibility to seizures.Objective: To determine the effect of hyponatremia in recurrent febrile convulsions.Patients And Methods: A case-control study which carried out in Al- Zahraa teaching hospital in Al-Najaf city during the period between 1st of January to end of October 2015. One hundred fifty children were included in this study. We classified the patients into three groups; group (A) included (50) children presented with fever without seizure, group (B); (50) children presented with simple febrile convulsion, group (C); (50) children presented with recurrent febrile convulsions. Group A conceder as control group. The serum level of Na were estimated in these 3 groups by Na kits.Results: One hundred fifty children were studied with age range between (6months-6years) old. We compare the S. Na among the three groups;It is found that male in group A represented 26 (52%) and 24 (48%), 28(56%) in group B and C respectively, while female represented by 24 (48%), 26 (52%), 22 (44%) in groups A, B, C respectively, with p value of 0.726.There were no significant difference between male and female, in all age groups.Also it is shown that family history of febrile convulsion represented 20%, 50%, 50% in group A, B, C respectively, in family history of recurrent febrile convulsion, represented 4%, 4%, 10%, in group A, B, C respectively, and with family history of epilepsy show group A (0%), group B (4%), group C (0%).While p value in family history of febrile convulsion (0.002), in family history of recurrent febrile convulsion (0.345), in family history of epilepsy (0.132).So there were no significant difference in all parameters except family history of febrile convulsion which is significant in all three groups, P value=0.002.Also the study will show no significant difference in age, white blood cell count, and random blood surge while there is significant difference in temperature.A significant difference in serum sodium level which is lowest in group C. Regarding Calcium level, there is significant difference between group A and B.Conclusion:-There is a significant association between recurrent febrile convulsion and lower level of serum sodium, in which serum sodium concentration is lowest in those patient with recurrent febrile convulsion