Original Article - Current Pediatric Research (2025) Volume 29, Issue 1

Diagnostic role of serum prolactin in pediatric convulsions: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Seizures in children are a major neurological concern, with causes ranging from febrile convulsions to epilepsy and metabolic imbalances. Serum prolactin, a hormone linked to stress responses, has been explored as a potential biomarker for differentiating epileptic from non-epileptic seizures. This study aims to assess the diagnostic reliability of serum prolactin levels in various pediatric convulsions. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital in South Gujarat, India, including 121 children aged 6 months to 18 years with convulsions. Serum prolactin levels were measured within 6 hours of seizure onset before anticonvulsant therapy. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 21.2. Results: In our study, serum prolactin levels were significantly associated with convulsion types (p<0.001), highest in status epilepticus (66.7%) and GTCS (63.8%). Measurement timing also influenced levels in GTCS (p=0.011); 69.2% were elevated within 3 hours, dropping to 16.7% after. Outcomes were linked to convulsion type (p=0.04); febrile (97.5%) and focal aware convulsions (90.9%) had the highest discharge rates, while GTCS (25.9%) and status epilepticus (33.3%) had the highest DAMA rates. Mortality was highest in focal impaired-awareness convulsions (22.2%) and GTCS (6.9%). Serum prolactin levels were also associated with discharge outcomes (p=0.03), with increased levels in 27.9% of DAMA cases and 4.7% of deaths. Conclusion: Serum prolactin is a key marker in pediatric convulsions, particularly in GTCS and status epilepticus, indicating greater seizure severity.

Author(s):

pediatric emergency care, pediatric nephrology, pediatric pulmonology

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