Assessment of Serum urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (SuPAR) Levels in Childhood Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder worldwide. Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder affecting 3.5-5/1000 children in developed countries with 41-187/100,000 cases reported every year. It increases the incidence of complications and mortality. Generalized convulsive seizures (GCSs) are associated with high demands on the cardiovascular system, thereby facilitating cardiac complications. SuPAR is an emerging marker of cardiovascular disease burden. Objectives: Aim of the study: To assess suPAR levels in childhood epilepsy in pediatric department of neurology, El-Minia university children and maternity hospital. Methods: This was a case control study. Our children (6 to 60 months), who were divided into 2 groups; 30 children known epileptic and 30 children who were not epileptic and had no history of previous seizures or any illness that may induce convulsions or simulate epilepsy, served as control group matched in age and sex. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for suPAR levels. The studied groups: were subjected to careful detailed history taking, complete clinical examination, electroencephalography (EEG) and laboratory investigations including: suPAR, complete blood count (CBC), Creactive protein (CRP) and renal function tests. Results: Plasma concentrations of suPAR were statistically insignificantly higher in epileptic children than the other group (P 0.300). There were statistically male predominance (56.7%) > female (43.3%) regarding the gender of the epileptic children. There was a weak negative not significant correlation between suPAR and the age of the child (r -0.093, p 0.396) and also, HB and suPAR (r -0.120, p 0.275). While there were weak positive not significant correlation between; TLC and SuPAR (r 0.152, p 0.164) and also, between platelet count and suPAR (r 0.073, p 0.504) . Conclusion: The higher level of SuPAR in small number of epileptic patients may be due to brain inflammation effect and /or early cardiac injury.