Journal Article

175 Hypophosphataemia as a potential biological marker in seizure diagnosis: a retrospective analysis

Oliveira, Renato, Abdelaziz, Ammar, Moshammet Noor, Nasir, Memoona, Coutinho, Lancelot, Murphy, Lauren

2025

Overview

IntroductionDiagnosing epileptic seizures is challenging due to overlapping symptoms with non-epileptic events and limited clinical descriptions. Anecdotal case series highlights hypophosphatemia as an indicator of an epileptic seizure.ObjectivesThis study examines acute hypophosphatemia prevalence in patients at first seizure clinic and explores its association with different sub-groups and clinical variables. A statistical model that includes hypophosphatemia to predict the likelihood of an ictal-event will be explored.MethodologyA cross-sectional cohort study of patients seen at our First Seizure Clinic over a year period. Patients will be grouped into 2 major groups – ictal-event vs non-ictal event, based on expert clinician assessment. Investigation results, including detailed blood work-up, done within 24 hours of the event will be collected.ResultsPreliminary results (n=83) include 50 ictal events (60.2%) and 33 non-ictal events (39.8%). Mean age: 38.1 years (range 17–88), with 45 (54.2%) male. Hypophosphatemia occurred in 26.5% of cases, significantly higher in ictal (36%) vs. non-ictal (12.1%) events (p < 0.05). Blood samples within 2 hours showed a stronger association with hypophosphatemia in ictal events.ConclusionHypophosphataemia shows promising potential as a diagnostic marker for epileptic seizures. With further research, it could become a useful tool in improving diagnostic [e-mail]

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Convulsions & seizures / Epilepsy