Background Trace elements have physiological effects on neuronal excitability that
may play a role in the etiology of intractable epilepsy. The aim was to evaluate the
possible associations between some trace elements and idiopathic intractable epilepsy
in children, and also the role of zinc supplementation in reduction of seizures in such
patients.
Materials and Methods Our study was designed as a case-control study with 80
idiopathic epileptic patients between the ages of 10 months and 14 years enrolled in the
study, 45 intractable to treatment (Group I) and 35 controlled by treatment (Group II).
Serum levels of selenium, zinc, and copper were measured with atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. Group I patients were subdivided according to zinc supplementation
into two subgroups. Group IA included 31 epileptic patients with refractory
response and oral zinc supplementation for 4 months and Group IB included 14
epileptic patients with refractory response and without zinc supplementation with
continuous follow-up of patients for further 6 months for evaluation of seizure
recurrence.
Results We found that Group I patients had significantly lower levels of serum Se and
Zn compared with those of Group II patients (p < 0.05). Serum copper levels were not
significantly lower in Group I than Group II. Zinc supplementation resulted in a
significant reduction of seizure in Group I A compared with Group IB. Recurrence of
seizure activity after discontinuation of zinc supplementation was significant in Group IA
(p < 0.01).
Conclusions We found significantly lower serumlevels of zinc and selenium in patients
with intractable epilepsy as compared to the controlled epilepsy group. Zinc supplementation
had a significant role in reduction of seizures in such pa