Role of Ca2+ Homeostasis Disruption in Rotavirus-Associated Seizures. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yeom, Jung Sook; Kim, Young-Soo; Park, Ji Sook; Seo, Ji-Hyun; Park, Eun Sil; Lim, Jae-Young; Park, Chan-Hoo; Woo, Hyang-Ok; Youn, Hee-Shang
• Is Part Of: Journal of child neurology. Volume 29:Number 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 335
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: rotavirus -- seizure -- calcium -- enterotoxin; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.928
• DOI: 10.1177/0883073812469052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0738

Abstract

Rotavirus infection disturbs cellular Ca 2+ homeostasis by triggering an increase in Ca 2+ permeation. A theoretical link between Ca 2+ dysregulation and seizures in patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis has been suggested, but no prior studies have investigated this relationship. To test our hypothesis that patients with rotavirus-associated seizures have greater Ca 2+ homeostasis disruption than those without seizures, we compared clinical and laboratory data—including corrected total serum Ca 2+ levels—between the 2 groups. Age, gender, maximum body temperature, day of admission, levels of electrolytes except Ca 2+, blood pH, and urine ketone levels were not related to seizure occurrence. Significantly lower Ca 2+ levels were found among the seizure (+) group (9.22 ± 0.50 vs 9.66 ± 0.46 mg/dL, P = .01). Although Ca 2+ levels were within normal ranges and did not directly cause the seizures, our results provide preliminary evidence for a relationship between Ca 2+ homeostasis disruption and seizures in rotavirus patients.