RESUMEN
Prolactin levels were measured immediately after the seizure in some, and 15 to 20 minutes later in all of 67 children aged between 6 months and 17 years. Values were determined after grand mal, complex partial and petit mal seizures and psychogen seizures. A more than 2 to 3 fold prolactin increase over the baseline value occurred almost always after grand mal and regularly after complex partial seizures. No hyperprolactinaemia was observed after petit mal seizures. Also after psychogenic seizures a rise in serum prolactin failed. The neurophysiological basis underlying this phenomenon is a decrease of gaba- und dopaminergic systems associated with the seizure. The described method is useful in the differential diagnosis of epileptogenic versus psychogenic seizures.
Asunto(s)
Epilepsia Tipo Ausencia/diagnóstico , Epilepsia Parcial Compleja/diagnóstico , Epilepsia Tónico-Clónica/diagnóstico , Prolactina/sangre , Trastornos Psicofisiológicos/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Electroencefalografía , Epilepsia Tipo Ausencia/sangre , Epilepsia Parcial Compleja/sangre , Epilepsia Tónico-Clónica/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Trastornos Psicofisiológicos/sangreRESUMEN
Prolactin concentration was measured 20 minutes after each seizure in 8 patients with grand mal, 2 patients with complex partial seizures and 5 patients with petit mal seizures. In the group of grand mal and complex partial seizures serum prolactin showed markedly increased levels. After petit mal seizures there was no change in serum prolactin concentration. The possible causes for changes in serum prolactin after a seizure in children are discussed.