[Evaluation of the bone mass by dual-photon absorptiometry in children under prolonged anticonvulsant therapy]

We have evaluated, in a prospective study, the total and per unit area mass, measured in lumbar spine by Dual Photo-absorptiometry, in a group of 62 children on long-term anticonvulsant treatment. A second group of 58 normal children was used as a control. The total and per unit area bone mass increased with age, weight, height and bone maturity in all of the children studied. There were no significant differences found between the two groups. Children on multi-therapy and that were over six years of age showed statistically significantly less bone mass per area when compared th the control group (p less than 0.01). Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine and Valproic acid in monotherapy did not statistically diminish bone mass. Of these anticonvulsants, Phenobarbital was responsible for the most statistically significant decline in bone mass per area (p = 0.027). After six year of treatment, whether on mono-therapy or on poly-therapy, bone mass was lower with respect to the control series, although this was not statistically significant.