Pediatric hypocalcemic seizures: A case of Rickets

Bellazzini, Marc A.; Howes, David S.

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2004.09.007

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Hypocalcemia as a cause of tonic-clonic seizures has been reported earlier [1][2][3], however a thorough literature search revealed none with as low ionised calcium in paediatric population as observed in the present case. The current case is unique in itself considering the extremely low levels of ionised calcium associated with chronic kidney disease and hypovitaminosis D but normal electroencephalogram and electrocardiography.…”

contrasting

confidence: 41%

Hypocalcemia in an 11 Year Old Child: A Difficult Case to Treat

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hypocalcemia is a laboratory and clinical abnormality that is observed especially in neonates and paediatric patients. Laboratory hypocalcaemia is often asymptomatic but it can manifest as central nervous system irritability, paraesthesia, tetany (i.e. contraction of hands, arms, feet, larynx, bronchioles), seizures, and even psychiatric changes in children. Cardiac function may also be impaired because of poor muscle contractility. We report a unique case of an eleven year old male child who presented with chronic kidney disease associated with severe hypocalcemia, tonic-clonic seizures, hypovitaminosis D but normal electroencephalogram and electrocardiography. The child required prolonged intravenous calcium gluconate therapy to correct his ionised calcium levels.

show abstract

contrasting

confidence: 41%

Hypocalcemia in an 11 Year Old Child: A Difficult Case to Treat

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interestingly, AEDs may abolish both overt and latent tetany, whereas hypocalcemic seizures may remain refractory. 57 71 72 Obviously, the treatment of hypocalcemia should be directed at the underlying disorder, and oral calcium repletion is commonly prescribed for outpatient treatment.…”

Section: Hypocalcemiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this narrative review we focus on acute symptomatic seizures occurring in subjects with electrolyte disturbances. Quite surprisingly, despite its clinical relevance, this issue has received very little attention in the scientific literature. Electrolyte abnormalities are commonly encountered in clinical daily practice, and their diagnosis relies on routine laboratory findings. Acute and severe electrolyte imbalances can manifest with seizures, which may be the sole presenting symptom. Seizures are more frequently observed in patients with sodium disorders (especially hyponatremia), hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. They do not entail a diagnosis of epilepsy, but are classified as acute symptomatic seizures. EEG has little specificity in differentiating between various electrolyte disturbances. The prominent EEG feature is slowing of the normal background activity, although other EEG findings, including various epileptiform abnormalities may occur. An accurate and prompt diagnosis should be established for a successful management of seizures, as rapid identification and correction of the underlying electrolyte disturbance (rather than an antiepileptic treatment) are of crucial importance in the control of seizures and prevention of permanent brain damage.

show abstract

“…Treatment for hypocalcemic seizures is calcium replacement; AEDs are typically not needed. AEDs may abolish both overt and latent tetany, whereas hypocalcemic seizures may remain refractory (Messig and Simon, 1986; Kossoff et al, 2002; Bellazzani and Howes, 2005). Obviously, the treatment of hypocalcemia should be directed at the underlying disorder, and oral calcium repletion is commonly prescribed for outpatient treatment.…”

Section: Hypocalcemiamentioning

confidence: 99%