Glycaemic Imbalances in Seizures and Epilepsy of Paediatric Age: A Literature Review

Cerebral excitability and systemic metabolic balance are closely interconnected. Energy supply to neurons depends critically on glucose, whose fluctuations can promote immediate hyperexcitability resulting in acute symptomatic seizures. On the other hand, chronic disorders of sugar metabolism (e.g., diabetes mellitus) are often associated with long-term epilepsy. In this paper, we aim to review the existing knowledge on the association between acute and chronic glycaemic imbalances (hyper- and hypoglycaemia) with seizures and epilepsy, especially in the developing brain, focusing on clinical and instrumental features in order to optimize the care of children and adolescents and prevent the development of chronic neurological conditions in young patients.

Automated summary

Cerebral excitability and systemic metabolic balance are closely connected, with glucose playing a critical role in neuronal energy supply. Fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to immediate hyperexcitability and acute symptomatic seizures, while chronic disorders of sugar metabolism are often associated with long-term epilepsy. This paper aims to review the existing knowledge on the association between acute and chronic glycaemic imbalances (hyper- and hypoglycaemia) with seizures and epilepsy, specifically focusing on the developing brain, in order to optimize care for children and adolescents and prevent the development of chronic neurological conditions in young patients.