TITLE:
Frequency of Hypocalcemic Fits in Children 2 Months to 2 Years of Age, Presenting with the First Episode of Afebrile Seizures at Hospital Settings in Urban Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Waseem Rahman, Heeramani Lohana, Sarwat Urooj, Sherza Ahmed, Abdul Moeed, Khadija Humayun
KEYWORDS:
Hypocalcemia, Seizure, Convulsions, Risk Factors, Children
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.10 No.3,
August
14,
2020
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Seizures
are common in the pediatric age group, occurring approximately 10% of children.
Hypocalcemia is one of the most common metabolic causes of afebrile seizures.
The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of hypocalcemic fits
in children presenting with the first episode of afebrile seizures from 2
months to 2 years of age. Methods: The study was conducted at the Aga
Khan hospital Karachi and its three secondary hospitals including the following
sites of Kharadar, Hyderabad, and garden. It was a cross-sectional study. The
duration of the study was of 6 months from 18th July 2017 to 18th Jan. 2018.
All patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria and visited the Pediatric medicine
Department of Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi, and its secondary hospitals were included
in the study after ethical approval and informed and written consent. A brief
history was taken, clinical examination was done and serum calcium level was
sent to the institutional laboratory to reach the outcome i.e. hypocalcemic fits. Result: A total of 85 children presenting with the first episode of afebrile
seizures were included. Total of 45 patients (52.98%) were males & 40
patients 2 (47.1%) were females with the mean age were 10.5824 ± 6.84907 months. The hypocalcemic fits were
seen in 21 children (24.7%). Discussion: Hypocalcemia is a common cause
of afebrile fits in children. Inadequate sun exposure, early age, male gender,
low weight, and illiteracy are major risk factors for hypocalcemia.