Background: Seizures are the most common neurologic emergency in pediatrics and can be terrifying for patients and families. They occur in approximately 4-10% of children and account for 1% of all emergency department visits. There are a variety of potential causes for seizures; however, they have a final common pathway which includes abnormal electrical discharges of neurons. The extent of this abnormal discharges and their location in the brain leads to a variety of clinical presentation which range from subtle, non-convulsive events to dramatic generalized convulsions. Most common biochemical abnormality causing seizures is hypocalcemia, which in children may manifest astetany, seizures, muscle cramp, and paresthesia. Objectives: The objective of the study was to: determine the frequency of hypocalcaemia in children presenting with afebrile seizures from age 2 months to 2 years. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Settings: Pediatric emergency and outpatient department of Pediatric Medicine Unit 1, Independent University Faisalabad. Period: Six months from 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2018. Methodology: After Approval from Ethical committee, 86 children presenting in pediatric emergency of Independent Hospital Faisalabad who meet the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Detailed history and informed consent was obtained from parents of each patient presenting with first episode of afebrile seizure. Blood serum sample was sent to the hospital pathology laboratory for assessment of serum calcium. Routine investigations to rule out other causes of seizures were also done. All the data was recorded on a predesigned performa. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly followed. Results: In this study, out of 86 cases, 55%(n=47) were between 2-12 months of age and 45%(n=39) were between 13-24 months of age, mean+sd was calculated as 12.33+5.27 months, maternal age shows that 72.24%(n=58) were between 18-30years of age and 30.76%(n=29) were between 31-45years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 29.52+3.70 years, 52.38%(n=44) were male and 47.62%(n=42) were females, frequency of hypocalcaemia in children presenting with afebrile seizures from age 2 months to 2 years was recorded in 66.48%(n=56) cases. Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of hypocalcaemia is higher in children presenting with afebrile seizures from age 2 months to 2 years, and by controlling hypocalcemia, we may reduce the risk of seizures.

ABSTRACT… Premature birth and low-birth weight are major causes of neonatal mortality, occurrence is 29%. Complications of prematurity and its risk factors are comparatively lesser in late preterm babies. Preterm babies are at higher risk of development of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus sepsis, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcaemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. No recent and current reliable data is available regarding frequency of hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic abnormalities in very preterm babies. Early detection of hyper-bilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and hypocalcaemia can help in better management and decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the frequency of hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic abnormalities in very preterm babies. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Methods: 120 very preterm singleton babies born between 28-34 weeks gestation, without lethal congenital anomalies and birth weight > 500 gram presenting in neonatal emergency within first 24 hours of birth were included. Neonates born to mothers with diabetes mellitus, addiction, renal failure, hemoglubinopathies, Rh negative blood group along with neonates with toxemia, congenital pneumonia, congenital malformation, or any genetic syndrome were excluded. Results: Mean gestational age was 31±1.4weeks. Male patients were dominant (52%) than the females (48%). Hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia was present in 68(57%), 27(22.5%) and 23(19%) patients respectively. Conclusion: Hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic abnormalities are common in very preterm babies and by knowing the magnitude of these problems early preventive measure can be acquired to reduce the neonatal mortality and morbidity Valencil schuor et al 20 conducted a study showing that more than 15% of preterm having hyperlirubinemia 28% preterm born through c-section and 16% born through vaginal delivery having jaundice.My study showed that hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and hypocalcaemia was 65, 27 and 23 babies common in small of gestational age preterm. CONCLUSIONHyperbilirubinemia and metabolic abnormalities like hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia are common problems in very preterm babies. The results of my study give the local burden of these complications that can be helpful in highlighting the importance of screening of such conditions so that special attention could be given to these babies for reduction of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Copyright© 01 July, 2019.