INTRODUCTION

Calcium is an important element in the body. Both hypocalcemia, and hypercalcemia can cause seizures. Hypocalcemia may be aggravated with hyperventilation, and this may cause seizures in infants with hyperventilation due to feveR. This aspect in children with febrile seizures has not been well studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

70 consecutive children admitted seizures and fever in the age group of 6 to 60 months were evaluated for their ionic Ca levels using a venous blood gas performed within 30 minutes of admission (FS group).

70 children admitted with fever without seizures in the age group of 6 to 60 months were evaluated for their ionic Ca levels within 30 minutes of admission by using a venous blood gas performed for any reason were included as controls (FNS group).

Ionic calcium levels were evaluated in both the groups by using a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Mean Ca(ionic) in FS group was 0.97(+/- 0.13) and in FNS group it was 0.99(+/- 0.12)This difference was statistically insignificant.

Hypocalcemia was seen in 92.9% of children in FS group  and  in 88.6% of children in FNS group and their difference is statistically insignificant.There is no association between the Ca levels and any specific pH values

CONCLUSION

Thus ionic calcium levels do not appear to have a provoking effect in febrile seizures.