Plasma magnesium in adult Nigerian patients with epilepsy.

UNLABELLED

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma magnesium levels and epilepsy. The study was carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Plasma magnesium was estimated using the calmigite dye colorimetric method in 45 adults with epilepsy and 35 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and albumin were also estimated. The mean plasma magnesium in the patients was 0.98 mm0l/L (0.05) while that in the controls was 1.15 mmol/L (0.28). The mean plasma magnesium in the epileptics was significantly lower than that obtained in the controls (p < 0.001). Age of onset of seizures, seizure frequency and duration of treatment did not influence the plasma magnesium levels. Low plasma magnesium is associated with epilepsy, further studies may determine the influence of anti-epileptic drug therapy on plasma magnesium levels.

KEYWORDS

magnesium, seizures, Nigeria.