PURPOSE: Several studies have shown that magnesium plays an important role in modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-related seizures by blocking NMDA ion channel receptors. Clinicians usually measure total serum magnesium levels instead of biologically active ionized magnesium levels. We compared the serum ionized magnesium (iMg2+) level between epileptic children with and without a history of fever-triggered seizure (FTS). METHODS: All epileptic children who visited the outpatient clinic or pediatric emergency department at Korea University Guro Hospital between January 2015 and July 2017 were included. Only epileptic children aged 1–8 years who were newly diagnosed within 2 years were included. RESULTS: There were 12 children with FTS and 16 without FTS. Median serum iMg2+ level was 0.93 (0.85–1.14, quartile) mEq/L. Serum iMg2+ level was significantly lower in epileptic children with FTS (0.86 mEq/L) compared to those without FTS (1.10 mEq/L) (P=0.005). No difference was noted in clinical variables between the two groups. Lower serum iMg2+ level significantly increased the risk of having FTS in epileptic children based on multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR]=0.028). CONCLUSION: Serum iMg2+ level was significantly lower in epileptic children with FTS than in those without FTS. Measurement of biologically active serum iMg2+ level could be considered in epileptic children with recurrent FTS. A large-scale prospective study is warranted.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Child* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Magnesium* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Prospective Studies ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile