Estimating the prevalence of hypocalcemia in adults presenting with new-onset seizures: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background. Approximately 8% to 10% of the population will experience a seizure during their lifetime. Only about 2% to 3% of patients go on to develop epilepsy. Common metabolic causes include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, etc. Hypocalcemia in particular is often implicated in neonates and younger children. The present study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of hypocalcemia in adults (>18 years of age) presenting with new onset seizures. Material and methods. Our study was a cross-sectional, prospective, observational study, conducted in patients aged more than 18 years of age of either sex who presented with at least 1 episode of acute (<24 hours) new onset seizures. A total of 72 patients were included in the study, who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Venous blood was collected in a red top plastic tube, containing no anticoagulants and used for laboratory testing. Results. During the study period, 72 patients with new-onset seizures were considered for the present study. The mean age of the study population was 44.73±12.45 years. The mean serum calcium level was 8.13±0.53 mg/dL. Serum calcium level less than 8.5 mg/dL was noted in 32 cases (44.44 %). A level in the normal range (8.5-10 mg/dl) was noted in 40 patients (55.56 %). A serum albumin level of less than 3 gm % was noted in 7 patients (9.72 %). The mean corrected serum calcium level was 8.23±0.71 mg/dL. Among 72 patients, a corrected serum calcium level of less than 8.5 mg/dL was noted in 31 cases. Thus, the prevalence of hypocalcemia in adults presenting with new-onset seizures was 43.05%. There was no significant difference noted for age and gender among hypocalcemic and normocalcemic cases (p>0.05). Conclusion. In patients presenting with new onset seizures, the prevalence of hypocalcemia was found to be 43%. Further studies are required to prove definite causality. However, we recommend checking serum calcium levels, along with the other electrolytes for all patients presenting with new onset seizures and correcting them as required.