Validity of Serum Sodium and Calcium Screening in Children with Febrile Convulsion

Febrile convulsion (FC) is the most common seizure disorder in young children. Different predisposing factors have been suggested to enhance the susceptibility to febrile seizure and its recurrence. The main objective of this study was to identify the adverse effect of electrolytes disturbance in FC and its recurrence. The medical records of 175 children with convulsive disorders were reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A (n=71) with simple febrile convulsion (FC) and group B (n=54) with recurrent FCs. Fifty children (group C) with non-FC served as control. Serum sodium and calcium concentrations were significantly lower in groups A and B compared to the control group. Serum sodium level was not significantly different between group A and B patients (134.4 vs. 134.7 mEq/l) but was significantly lower in group A than the control group (P= 0.014). Serum calcium concentration did not differ among the 3 groups. Minor abnormal levels of serum sodium concentration were detected in children with febrile convulsions. Thus, routine serum electrolytes screening are not recommended in febrile seizure.