A study of serum and cerebrospinal fluid magnesium in cases of encephalitis
Ahmad, S.H.; Ahmad, A.J.; Ansari, Z.
Indian Pediatrics 15(7): 573-576
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 721280 Document Number: 132222
Concurrent serum and cerebrospinal fluid magnesium and calcium values were estimated in 16 patients with encephalitis and in 15 normal controls. The mean serum and cerebrospinal fluid Mg in patients was 1.75 plus or minus 0.303 and 1.96 plus or minus 0.332 mEq/litre, respectively, as against 1.995 plus or minus 0.210 and 2.396 plus or minus 0.331 mEq/litre, respectively, in the controls. Similarly whereas the serum and cerebrospinal fluid Ca was 4.964 plus or minus 0.310 and 2.5 plus or minus 0.253 mEq/litre, respectively, in children with encephalitis the corresponding values in the controls were 4.886 plus or minus 0.348 and 2.251 plus or minus 0.326 mEq/litre. Statistical analysis showed that whereas the serum and cerebrospinal fluid Mg values were significantly lower in the patients, the differences in Ca values in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients and controls were not significant.