Postictal transient hyperammonemia as an indicator of seizure disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Transient hyperammonemia can occur after episodes of seizure. To verify that transient hyperammonemia is a unique finding in seizure patients, we compared the change in blood ammonia concentration during the postictal period with that of other patients who suffered consciousness disturbances due to other disorders.

METHODS

We compared the results of a biochemical examination, including serum ammonia levels, between adult patients sent to the emergency department (ED) with seizure and those with other causes of consciousness disturbance.

RESULTS

Nineteen out of 31 patients with generalized epileptic seizures showed hyperammonemia at initial data measurement. Seventeen of these patients showed transient hyperammonemia. Only 10 patients with hepatic encephalopathy showed hyperammonemia, while none of the patients suffering from other causes of consciousness disturbance showed transient hyperammonemia within hours of arrival at the ED.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient hyperammonemia was observed in the majority of generalized tonic-clonic seizure patients examined in this study but not in those with other causes of consciousness disturbance. Because ammonia is checked in patients presenting with transient consciousness disturbance to the ED, with or without witness, transient hyperammonemia could be an indicator of recent epileptic seizure.