The Correlation Between Cerebrospinal Fluid and Levels of Serum Zinc and Calcium in Children With Febrile Seizure

Background: Febrile seizure (FS) is one of the most common neurological conditions in childhood. It seems that zinc and calcium deficiency are related to seizure activity. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to measure zinc and Calcium levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluids of febrile convulsive children referred to Zanjan University, Valie Asr hospital. Patients and Methods: Three hundred and ten consecutive children with febrile seizure, who were admitted from January 2009 to December 2010, were studied. Forty five children required lumbar puncture based on the discretion of treating physician. Levels of zinc and calcium were measured in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens of patients using atomic absorption spectrometry method. Results: The mean levels of serum calcium, serum zinc, cerebrospinal fluid calcium and cerebrospinal fluid zinc were 14.51 ± 3.69 mg/dL; 184.04 ± 65.49 μg/dL; 5.23 ± 2.21 mg/dL and 87.06 ± 28.25 μg/dL respectively. Conclusions: We did not find any clear abnormality in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid calcium and zinc levels in children with febrile seizures in our patient population.