Serum cortisol and prolactin levels in childhood paroxysmal disorders.

Postictal serum prolactin and cortisol levels were measured in 37 children having either epilepsy, febrile seizure or syncopal attack and in 37 normal controls. Blood samples were obtained within 1.5 h following the seizure episode. All serum levels were compared between each group and the control groups. Significantly higher (P < 0.005) prolactin levels (56.64 +/- 34.78 ng/mL) were found in the epileptic group, compared to the levels in children with febrile seizures (21.72 +/- 12.92 ng/mL), syncope attacks (13.88 +/- 5.27 ng/mL) and the control group (14.32 +/- 5.05 ng/mL). In contrast, serum cortisol levels were non-specifically elevated in children with epilepsy, febrile seizures and syncopal attacks. Cortisol secretion appears to be non-specifically elevated in all stressful events. Elevated prolactin levels may be helpful in differentiating epilepsy from febrile seizures and syncope.