DETERMINATION OF ZINC LEVEL AND CATIONS CROSS THE CELL MEMBRANE IN SERUM OF IRAQI CHILDREN WITH FIRST FEBRILE SEIZURES
Salwa H. N. Al-Rubae'i*, Najlaa Qassim Muftin and Zaizafon Khalaf
ABSTRACT
Background: Many research works clearly indicate that febrile seizure is the most common type of clinical
problem in children that usually occurs at <6 years. The objective of the present study was to find the changes in
serum zinc level (males and females) children and the role of cations cross the cell membrane which included
sodium, potassium, and calcium in prediction of first febrile seizure within the first 24 hours. In addition to find if
there was any correlation between Zn level with the other parameters mentioned in current work. Methods: A
total of 64 children (30 male and 34 female) aged between 1 month to 6 years were included as patients group.
Thirty two healthy children were selected as the control group, their age range was comparable with that of the
patients. Serum level of zinc was measured by the graphite furnace flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium were measured using Electrolyte Analyzer. Blood glucose
concentration was measured by the Reflotron Plus technique. The comparisons between groups were done using
SPSS statistical program. Results: There was no significant difference in age (P>0.05). There was a significant
difference between the groups regarding temperature at the time admission. A high significance decrease (p<0.01)
in the mean level of calcium and zinc , a high significance increase (p<0.01) in the mean level of blood glucose
and sodium, while no significant changes in potassium level in patients were noticed compared with control group.
Serum zinc level was high significance decrease (p=0.005) in group male patients compared to female patients.
Conclusion : Based on our data, it was revealed that the parameters such as age, gender, body temperature, low
zinc levels, and low calcium levels are among the risk factors in occurrence of the first febrile. Therefore, we
suggest that deficiencies of serum zinc and calcium levels may be responsible for the pathogenesis of first febrile
seizure in children.
Keywords: Febrile Seizures, serum zinc, serum calcium, cations.
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