To Study the Prevalence of Electrolyte Imbalance in Patients With Seizures

Abstract

Background: Seizure is dened as an episode of neurological dysfunction caused by abnormal neuronal activity that results in a sudden change in motor, behaviour and sensory perception1. Electrolytes seem to have a dominant role in the causation of seizures Electrolyte homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS) is a characteristic essential feature behind brain functioning. “A number of clinical studies have also shown a relationship between electrolyte imbalance and seizures. OBJECTIVE: To Determine the Prevalence of electrolyte imbalance in patients with Seizures. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted at , MLN Medical College associated SRN Hospital, Prayagraj. A total 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients with 18 years of age or older presented with seizure as the presenting complaint were included. Patients presenting with cerebrovascular accident ,subarachnoid hemorrhage, tuberculoma cavernous sinus thrombosis febrile seizures hypoglycemia alcohol withdrawal uremic encephalopathy and patients refusing to participate in the study. RESULT: Nearly two third (64%) patients had generalized tonic clonic seizures followed by focal seizures (27%) and status epilepticus (9%) respectively. Maximum electrolyte imbalance was seen for calcium (99%) followed by sodium (92%), potassium (63%) and magnesium (33%) respectively. A signicant association of serum sodium status was observed with type of seizures with hyponatremia being more common in GTCS and hypernatremia being more common in status epilepticus. Conclusion: In the present study, there was a high prevalence of hyponatremia (82%). Hyponatremia could be one of the most common factors leading to seizure activity. The ndings of the present study shows that both in adults as well as in children show that electrolyte imbalance is a frequent observation in seizure activity, primarily cation deciency is highly prevalent in seizure cases, however it is difcult to establish the role of a single electrolyte cation to be responsible for this activity