Diagnostic value of serum miRNA-134-3p and miRNA-155-5p for monitoring seizure control in pediatric epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

This study explored the potential of miRNA-134-3p and miRNA-155-5p as biomarkers for assessing seizure severity in children.

Methods

Healthy children and children with epilepsy from Fujian Provincial Hospital (Sept 2022 to July 2023) were grouped into the control group (n = 20), the well-controlled group (n = 22), and the poorly-controlled group (n = 18). Clinical data and serum samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect miRNA levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis evaluated diagnostic potential.

Results

The poorly-controlled group showed increased seizure frequency (P < 0.001), medication dosage (P < 0.001), and intellectual disabilities (P = 0.041). MiRNA-134-3p and miRNA-155-5p levels were higher in epilepsy patients, especially in the poorly-controlled group (P < 0.001). When the critical value of miRNA-134-3p for diagnosing seizure control was 4.336, the specificity was 90.9 % and the sensitivity was 88.9 %. When the diagnostic threshold of miRNA-155-5p was 2.870, the specificity was 63.6 % and the sensitivity was 100 %. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the combined diagnosis of serum miRNA-134-3p and miRNA-155-5p for seizure control were 88.9 %, 100 %, and 94.45 %, respectively.

Conclusion

The expressions of miRNA-134-3p and miRNA-155-5p were elevated in the serum of children with epilepsy, and were positively correlated with the severity of seizures. The serum miRNA-134-3p has high specificity in diagnosing the degree of seizure control in children, while miRNA-155-5p has high sensitivity. Their combination of the two can improve the specificity of predicting the degree of seizure control in children.