Serum hydrogen sulfide levels in children with benign infantile convulsions associatedwith mild gastroenteritis

Abstract:

Objective To study the changes and significance of serum hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels in childrenwith benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis (BICE). Methods Forty-two hospitalized childrendiagnosed with BICE were recruited to the observation group, and 46 children admitted due to acute gastroenteritis alonewere recruited to the control group. Serum H₂S levels were measured by a spectrophotometer. Results The serumH₂S level in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group (28±12 μmol/L vs 45±10 μmol/L; P<0.01). The patients with a number of convulsions greater than or equal to two had significantly lower serum H₂Slevels than those with a number less than two (P<0.05). The number of convulsions was negatively correlated withserum H₂S level in BICE patients (r=-0.485, P=0.001). When a convulsion exceeded 5 minues in duration, the durationwas negatively correlated with serum H₂S level (r=-0.736, P=0.004). Conclusions The reduction in endogenous H₂S level might be one of the causes of convulsions in BICE patients. The degree of reduction in H₂S level is associated withthe number of convulsions and the duration of convulsion (when it exceeds 5 minues). Further investigation is needed todetermine the clinical significance of these results.