Serum zinc and copper levels in a sample of Egyptian epileptic children

Background Epilepsy is among the most common disabling neurological disorders among children. Altered serum levels of zinc and copper may facilitate seizure occurrence and repetition, and antiepileptic drugs may disturb their serum levels affecting disease control and outcome. Objective To investigate the association between serum levels of zinc and copper and epilepsy and antiepileptic treatment in a group of Egyptian epileptic children. Methods Case-control study on 100 epileptic patients, aged from 2 to 16 years, from neurology outpatient clinic and 50 apparently healthy children with matched age and sex. Venous samples were withdrawn from patients and controls then serum levels of zinc and copper were measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer-A Analyst 800. Results Serum zinc level of patients' group was significantly lower than that of controls with a mean of 59.1 mu/dL +/- 22.7 and 85 mu/dL +/- 22.2, respectively (P< 0.01). Serum zinc level of patients with history of febrile seizures was significantly decreased compared to patients without history of febrile seizures with a mean of 41.5 mu/dL +/- 20.1 and 67.9 mu/dL +/- 19.3, respectively (P< 0.01). Patient on carbamazepine intake showed significantly lower zinc serum level than patients without carbamazepine intake, with a mean of 49.0 mu/dL +/- 17 and 61.8 mu/dL +/- 23.4, respectively (P< 0.01). A significant negative correlation was noted between the duration of illness of epilepsy and the mean copper serum level (P< 0.05). Conclusion Zinc and copper altered homeostasis have mounting evidence about their role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Designing treatment plans that selectively restore zinc and copper normal levels may be a beneficial strategy in the future.