Serum zinc and copper in treated and untreated epileptic children

ABSTRACT

Zinc and copper status was evaluated in twenty untreated epileptic children; twenty treated and another twenty healthy control. clinical history, complete physical and neurological examination and E.E.G. were done for all patients. X-ray skull and computed tomography were done for some cases for diagnostic purposes. Serum zinc was found to be elevated in untreated epileptics [mean 110.3 +/- 8.9 g/dl] with statically significant difference when compared wit the control group [P< 0.001] and the treated group [P< 0.001]. mean value of treated group was 77.7 +/- 13.6 micro g/dl, with no significant difference between it and the control group [P> 0.05]. No statistically significant difference was found in the serum copper level of the studied groups. Thus, evaluating serum zinc level is essential during treatment of epileptic children