Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Seizures are common in pediatric age group and approximately 4–10% of children experience at least one episode of seizure in the first 16 years of age. The present study was conducted to assess incidence of hypocalcemia in infants with seizures. Materials & Methods: 52 infants with seizures of both genders were included. Seizure manifestation was seen when serum calcium level decreases below 7 mg/dl. Blood samples were taken with full aseptic precautions and serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase level estimation was performed. In infants, serum phosphorus level 3.8–6.5 mg/dl (1.25–2.10 mmol/L) was considered as normal. Any serum phosphorus level <3.8 mg/dl was considered below normal value. Results: Out of 52, boys were 22 and girls were 30. Hypocalcemia was seen among 24. Maximum hypocalcemia was seen in 12 upto age 3 months, 8 in 3-6 months and 4 upto 1 year. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Seizures were due to hypocalcemic seizures in 24, febrile seizures in 15, pyogenic meningitis in 4, bronchiolitis in 3, aseptic meningitis in 2, septicemia in 1, cerebral infarct in 1 and dyselectrolytemia in 2 patients. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Hypocalcemia is a very common cause of seizures in infants.