SERUM CORTISOL AND PROLACTIN LEVELS IN CHILDHOOD PAROXYSMAL DISORDERS

Postictal serum prolactin and cortisol levels were measured in 37 chil dren having either epilepsy, febrile seizure or syncopal attack and in 37 normal controls. Blood samples were obtained within 1.5 h followin g the seizure episode. All serum levels were compared between each gro up and the control groups, Significantly higher (P < 0.005) prolactin levels (56.64 +/- 34.78 ng/mL) were found it the epileptic group, comp ared to the levels in children with febrile seizures (21.72 +/- 12.92 ng/mL), syncope attacks (13.88 +/- 5.27 ng/mL) and the control group ( 14.32 +/- 5.05 ng/mL). it contrast, serum cortisol levels were non-spe cifically elevated in children with epilepsy, febrile seizures and syn copal attacks. Cortisol secretion appears to be non-specifically eleva ted in all stressful events. Elevated prolactin levels may be helpful in differentiating epilepsy from febrile seizures and syncope.