Serum prolactin level after febrile seizure versus epileptic seizure in 6-month-old to 5-year-old children

Serum prolactin level has been used as an
alternative determinant to help differentiate epileptic from
non-epileptic seizures. We aimed to analyze the association
between serum prolactin concentration and epileptic seizure
versus febrile seizure as well as seizure duration, single versus
multiple seizure attacks and time lapse between seizure onset
and blood sampling.
Methods: Seventy patients aged 6 months to 5 years with
seizure who admitted to the emergency department between
March 2004 and February 2005 were selected and divided into
group I (epileptic seizure) and group II (febrile seizure). Group
III consisted of 35 pediatric patients without seizure. Blood
samples were collected within 2 hours after seizure. Serum
prolactin levels were measured, and statistical analyses were
performed to detect possible associations between variables.
Results: Serum prolactin level increased about twice the
normal level after epileptic seizures but not after febrile
seizures or in the control group. The length of seizure and
multiple seizure attacks were positively associated, whereas
the lapse between seizure onset and blood drawing was
negatively correlated with an increase in serum prolactin level.
Conclusion: Febrile (non-epileptic) seizures were not associated
with increased serum prolactin level. Elevated prolactin
level within 2 hours of a seizure may be suggestive of epileptic
origin of the seizure