Serum zinc and copper levels in a sample of Egyptian epileptic children

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is among the most common disabling neurological disorders among children. Altered serum levels of zinc and copper may facilitate seizure occurrence and repetition, and antiepileptic drugs may disturb their serum levels affecting disease control and outcome. Objective: To investigate the association between serum levels of zinc and copper and epilepsy and antiepileptic treatment in a group of Egyptian epileptic children. Methods: Case-control study on 100 epileptic patients, aged from 2 to 16 years, from neurology outpatient clinic and 50 apparently healthy children with matched age and sex. Venous samples were withdrawn from patients and controls then serum levels of zinc and copper were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer-A Analyst 800. Results: Serum zinc level of patients' group was significantly lower than that of controls with a mean of 59.1 μ/dL ± 22.7 and 85 μ/dL ± 22.2, respectively (P < 0.01). Serum zinc level of patients with history of febrile seizures was significantly decreased compared to patients without history of febrile seizures with a mean of 41.5 μ/dL ± 20.1 and 67.9 μ/dL ± 19.3, respectively (P < 0.01). Patient on carbamazepine intake showed significantly lower zinc serum level than patients without carbamazepine intake, with a mean of 49.0 μ/dL ± 17 and 61.8 μ/dL ± 23.4, respectively (P < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was noted between the duration of illness of epilepsy and the mean copper serum level (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Zinc and copper altered homeostasis have mounting evidence about their role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Designing treatment plans that selectively restore zinc and copper normal levels may be a beneficial strategy in the future.

Serum Levels of Growth-Associated Protein-43 and Neurotrophin-3 in Childhood Epilepsy and Their Relation to Zinc Levels

“…As evidenced in our study by significantly higher TAC and lower zinc serum levels among pediatric patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy compared to healthy controls, epileptic seizures induced oxidant generation stimulate the body’s antioxidant defense mechanisms in an attempt to balance the oxidants’ effect, resulting in high TAC serum levels with consumption of antioxidant trace elements such as zinc. In line with our findings, Eissa et al [ 51 ] reported significant lower levels of serum zinc in a sample of Egyptian epileptic children. Similary, Farahani et al [ 52 ] and Talat et al [ 53 ] reported similar results.…”

Comparison of Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Children with Intractable and Controlled Eplipsy

“…Also, this was in disagreement also with Eissa et al, [13] who found no statistical significance on measuring the copper serum level between patients group when compared to the control group.…”

Effect of Zinc Supplementation in Children Less Than 5 Years on Diarrhea Attacks: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The mean of serum zinc concentration in these studies ranged from 57 up to 117.4 μg/dL. [21][22][23] These differences and wide variations between studies regarding serum zinc level may be due to its normal physiological fluctuations; serum zinc level fluctuate by about 20% throughout the day, mostly because of the ingestion of food. After meals, there was immediate increase in serum zinc concentration, after which this concentration decreases for 4 hours and then increase again.…”