Himanshu Dhir1, Deepak Kumar1, Dheeraj Shah1, Prerna Batra1, Rafat S Ahmed2, Piyush Gupta3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, 110095, India. 2. Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. 3. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, 110095, India. prof.piyush.gupta@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of oral vs. intravenous calcium supplementation for continuation therapy in hypocalcemic seizures. METHODS: Sixty children between 1 mo and 5 y presenting with hypocalcemic seizures without any other underlying febrile, chronic systemic disease, or acute neurological illness were included. Participants were randomized to receive either intravenous (IV) 10% calcium gluconate (n = 30) or oral elemental calcium (n = 30) for 48 h following initial seizure control with intravenous calcium. RESULTS: Seizures recurred in 3 (10%) children in IV group as compared to 4 (13.3%) in oral calcium group (p = 0.278) within 48 h. Serum calcium levels achieved in the two treatment groups at 24 h [7.96 (1.32) vs. 8.23 (1.58) mg/dL; p = 0.476] and 48 h [8.5 (1.01) vs. 8.63 (1.39) mg/dL; p = 0.681] were comparable. CONCLUSION: Oral calcium may be as efficacious as intravenous calcium during continuation phase of treating hypocalcemic seizures; however, further studies are needed for definite recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration number: CTRI/2017/12/011042.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of oral vs. intravenous calcium supplementation for continuation therapy in hypocalcemic seizures. METHODS: Sixty children between 1 mo and 5 y presenting with hypocalcemic seizures without any other underlying febrile, chronic systemic disease, or acute neurological illness were included. Participants were randomized to receive either intravenous (IV) 10% calcium gluconate (n = 30) or oral elemental calcium (n = 30) for 48 h following initial seizure control with intravenous calcium. RESULTS: Seizures recurred in 3 (10%) children in IV group as compared to 4 (13.3%) in oral calcium group (p = 0.278) within 48 h. Serum calcium levels achieved in the two treatment groups at 24 h [7.96 (1.32) vs. 8.23 (1.58) mg/dL; p = 0.476] and 48 h [8.5 (1.01) vs. 8.63 (1.39) mg/dL; p = 0.681] were comparable. CONCLUSION: Oral calcium may be as efficacious as intravenous calcium during continuation phase of treating hypocalcemic seizures; however, further studies are needed for definite recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration number: CTRI/2017/12/011042.