Serum sodium levels and probability of recurrent febrile convulsions.

Abstract

In a prospective study of 69 children with febrile convulsions, serum sodium levels were often lower than normal (52% had levels < 135 mmol/l). The mean level (134.4 +/- 0.4 mmol/l) was significantly lower as compared to a group of children without fever (140.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, n = 23) and as compared to a group with fever but without convulsions (137.6 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, n = 31). The probability of a repeat convulsion within the same febrile period appeared to be significantly related to the serum sodium level.