Frequency of Hypocalcaemia among Children (Age 2-60 Months) Presenting with First Episode of Afebrile Seizures: A Cross Sectional Study

Aim: To determine the frequency of hypocalcaemia among children aged 2 to 60 months presenting with afebrile seizures.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration: Department of Pediatrics, Liaquat University of medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro, from February to August-2020.

Methodology: A total of 130 children aged 2 to 60 months, having afebrile fits with birth weight more than 2.5 kg were enrolled. After taking full history, detailed examination was done. Two ml blood sample was taken from each patient and was sent to diagnostic laboratory of the institution to find out calcium levels. In case of proven hypocalcaemia, injection calcium gluconate 100 mg/kg was administered. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables while frequency and percentages were noted for qualitative variables. Frequency of hypocalcaemia was recorded and study variables were compared between children with and without hypocalcaemia.

Results: Majority of the patients, 69 (53.1%) were male, 64 (49.2%) less than or equal to 12 months of age, 28 (21.5%) had maternal educational status as illiterate, 78 (60.0%) belonged to rural areas, 59 (45.4%) belonged to middle socioeconomic status, 69 (53.1%) had poor exposure to sunlight, 80 (61.5%) had malnutrition, 82 (63.1%) had child spacing of less than 2 years, 79 (60.8%) with less than 5 episodes of fits per day and 88 (67.7%) had duration of fits per day as less than 5 minutes. Frequency of hypocalcaemia was noted in 81 (62.3%) cases.

Conclusion: We concluded that hypocalcaemia is the frequent cause of afebrile seizures in children aged 2 to 60 months.