Cerebrospinal fluid zinc, magnesium, copper and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in febrile seizures

Abstract

The exact etiopathogenesis of febrile seizures (FS) is unknown. The present study was conducted to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in children with FS. The study subjects included 20 cases of FS, 26 patients of encephalitis and 22 children of fever with meningismus. The Zn, Mg and Cu levels in CSF and serum were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and GABA was estimated by paper chromatography method. The mean CSF Zn, Mg and Cu values were significantly decreased in FS in comparison to encephalitis and fever with meningismus cases (P<0.05). The mean serum Zn and Mg levels were also decreased in FS patients when compared with other two groups (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in serum Cu levels among the three groups. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of CSF and serum GABA between FS and encephalitis, but the values were found to be significantly decreased when compared with fever with meningismus (P<0.05). Patients of FS having higher body temperature (>37.9°C) had significantly decreased levels of CSF (P<0.05) and serum GABA (P<0.01) in comparison to those having temperature of 37.2-37.8°C. Significant positive correlations were found between CSF and serum Zn, Mg and GABA values. The CSF Zn also had significant positive correlations with CSF Mg and GABA levels. These findings suggest a relationship between low levels of Zn, Mg and GABA and predisposition to FS in children. © 2007 IOS Press. All rights reserved.