HYPOZINCAEMIA IN FEBRILE CONVULSION

To understand further the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis o f febrile convulsions, serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) an d CSF Zn, Cu, Mg and protein levels were measured by spectrometry in p atients with febrile convulsion (n = 19), bacterial meningitis (n = 9) , viral CNS infection (n = 16) and in the control group (n = 10) which consisted of children with signs of meningeal irritation due to upper respiratory tract infection but normal CSF findings. Samples were obt ained within 6 h after admission to hospital. Mean serum and CSF Zn le vels in the febrile convulsion group were significantly lower than in the other groups (for serum Zn: 0.66 +/- 0.03 mg/l, vs 0.98 +/- 0.07 m g/l, 1.06 +/- 0.08 mg/l, 1.05 +/- 0.09 mg/l P < 0.05; for CSF Zn: 22.9 6 +/- 1.62 mu g/l vs 75.47 +/- 6.9 mu g/l, 50.32 +/- 5.235 mu g/l, 39. 85 +/- 2.81 mu g/l P < 0.05). A linear relationship was established be tween serum Zn and CSF Zn levels (P < 0.001). Mean CSF Zn, Cu and prot ein levels in the bacterial meningitis group were significantly higher than in the other groups (for CSF Cu 63.94 +/- 6.33 mu g/l vs 38.77 /- 2.70 mu g/l, 35.84 +/- 3.48 mu g/l, 33.86 +/- 2.88 ug/l P < 0.05; f or CSF protein 0.80 +/- 0.12 g/l vs 0.22 +/- 0.02 g/l, 0.53 +/- 0.08 g /l, 0.19 +/- 0.01 g/l P < 0.05). In children with meningitis, the elev ation of the mean CSF Zn and Cu levels may result from the breakdown o f the blood-brain barrier and subsequent leakage of trace elements and protein from serum to CSF. There was no significant difference betwee n the four groups in terms of mean serum Mg and mean CSF Mg levels. Co nclusion Serum and CSF Zn levels are decreased in children with febril e seizures. Zinc deprivation may play a role in the pathogenesis of fe brile seizures.