CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SERUM LACTIC-ACID IN NIGERIAN CHILDREN WITH FEBRILE CONVULSIONS/

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum lactic acid levels were prospectiv ely assayed in 42 children less than 5 years old with febrile convulsi ons who were divided into two groups for analytical purposes, irrespec tive of aetiology of pyrexia. One group (24 children) had brief febril e seizures and the remaining 18 children had prolonged febrile seizure s. CSF and serum lactic acid values were obtained for brief and prolon ged seizures. On admission, the mean CSF lactic acid was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in children with prolonged than with brief seizures , but the mean serum lactic acid was not significantly different betwe en the two groups. Twelve of the 18 children (67%) with prolonged seiz ures and elevated CSF lactate had seizure recurrence. There were no re currences of seizures in children with a brief initial seizure and low CSF lactate. CSF lactic acid is elevated in children with prolonged s eizures and this may be useful in detecting those with a prolonged sei zure where the history of the duration of the seizure is not clear. Pr olonged seizure has been associated with the risk of recurrence and th erefore such children with elevated CSF lactic acid levels might benef it from long-term anticonvulsant therapy.