Absence of serum chemistry abnormalities in pediatric patients presenting with seizures

To determine the utility of the routine practice of obtaining serum chemistry values on children presenting after a seizure, we reviewed the emergency department records of 241 episodes of seizures in pediatric patients. One hundred fifty-five nonfebrile (49 initial, 106 recurrent) and 86 febrile (53 initial, 33 recurrent) convulsive episodes were analyzed. At least one serum chemistry value was obtained in 149 (64%) patients. Clinically significant abnormalities were found in 0/149 serum sodium, 0/148 glucose and blood urea nitrogen, 0/86 calcium, and 0/61 magnesium studies. We concluded that routine determination of serum chemistry values in pediatric patients presenting with a seizure is unnecessary unless specific clinical data strongly suggest otherwise.