European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Metabolic causes of neonatal seizures which have good prognosis are hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, andhypomagnesemia. Some of the cases of hypocalcemic seizures are accompanied by hypomagnesemia. However, the magnesium levels are rarely investigated in resource-restricted hospitals.  Aims and Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of hypocalcemia and the rate of association of hypomagnesemia with hypocalcemia within the study group.Materials and Methods: A group  of 150 neonates with seizures were studied. Analysis of serum Calcium, Magnesium, and Sodium were done on the samples using conventional methods. The prevalence of hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia, and their association with the study group was estimated. Results: Among the 150 study population hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was the most common cause of seizures. The mean age of the neonates, at the time of admission included in the study was 3.98 ± 4.27 days. Among the metabolic abnormalities the commonest abnormality seen is hypoglycemia in 55 (36.6%) followed by hypocalcemia in about 45 (30%) of the neonates included in this study. Hyponatremia is seen in 12 (8%) of the neonates with seizures in this study. Hypomagnesemia is seen in 9 (6%) of all neonates with seizures in this study. Hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesemia were seen in 7(4.6%) of the neonates with seizures in the study. Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia was a significant cause of neonatal seizures. Most of the neonates with hypomagnesemia had an associated hypocalcemia. It is necessary to estimate levels of magnesium in addition to calcium in all neonates with seizures.