An Experience of Hypocalcaemia in Children with A febrile Fits Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Sindh

Abstract

Objective: To measure serum calcium in children presenting with afebrile fits at the Pediatric Department oflsra University Hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Pediatrics, Isra University Hospital Hyderabad. A sample of 200 children was selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed strictly. Blood samples were taken for estimation of serum calcium levels. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 22.0 (IBM, Incorporation. USA). Comparisons with p-value of<0.05 were taken statistically significant. Results: Mean ±SD age was noted as 3.5±1.59 years (P-0.000 l ). Majority ofchildren belonged to 3- 3.9 years age. Out of200 study population, 91 (-15.4% 1 were male and 109 (54.5%) were female (p=0.0001). Serum calcium was noted as 5.3±2.58 mg/d1( range 3.7510 7.95 mgidl). Serum calcium levels as low as 3.5711)g/di were noted in study population. Conclusion: Hypocalcemia is a very common underlying cause of fits in afebrile children. Serum calcium level must be analyzed in children presenting: with fits for an immediate therapy.