Study of some minerals, trace elements and antioxidants in refractory childhood epilepsy

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of some minerals, trace elements and anti-oxidants in children with intractable epilepsy compared to healthy children. In a case control study, 45 epileptic patients [24 male and 21 female] with age range between 3 to 14.5 years presented to Assiut pediatric university hospital, suffering from various types of refractory epileptic seizures compared with 20 healthy sex- and age-matched children served as controls. Serum Se, Zn, Cu, Mg, Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] and Superoxide dismutase [SOD] were measured. The mean age of the patients +/- SD was 8.4 +/- 3.1y. The serum levels of Zn, Mg and Se are significant lower in patients in comparison with control, p value < 0.001 for each, with no significant difference between both groups in serum Cu. Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] was significantly lower in patients in comparison with control group [p value < 0.001] with no significant difference between both groups in SOD. Some minerals [Mg], trace elements [Zn, Se] and antioxidants [GSHúPX] may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy