EFFICACY OF MELATONIN VERSUS DIAZEPAM INTERVENTION IN REOCCURRENCE OF SIMPLE AND COMPLEX SEIZURE

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of melatonin vs diazepam in the prevention of reoccurrence of simple and complex seizure

Study Design: A hospital based randomized controlled study.

Place and Duration: The study was conducted in Social Security hospital Shahdara, Lahore within a duration of six months.

Methods: Children of age 6 months to 5 years, male or female of any age, patients with history of at least one febrile Seizure, Normal neurological examination and Presenting with high grade fever (≥100 oF) were included in this study group. Total 148 subjects were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. In group A, patients were given oral melatonin 0.33mg/kg dose every 8 h for 2 days while in group B, patients were given oral melatonin 0.3mg/kg every 8 h for 2 days. After treatment the recurrence of Febrile seizures was noted in both groups. Data was analysed by using SPSS Statistic version 27. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables while frequency and percentages were reported for qualitative variables. Chi-square/fisher exact test was applied to determine association between variables. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.41±16.22 months, 69(46.62%) patients were males at 48 hours. In oral melatonin the Febrile seizure were noted in 14(18.9%) patients while in oral diazepam group the Febrile seizures were noted in 5(6.8%) patients (p- value=0.027). 

Conclusion: : This study concluded that the oral melatonin is more effective and significantly better than oral diazepam in preventing recurrence of febrile seizures in children presenting with fever.