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[Bone mineral density in children with long-term antiepileptic therapy]

Milena Dimić, Aleksandar Dimić, Zoran Milosević

    Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo
    |July 18, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Long-term antiepileptic drug therapy in children can lower bone mineral density (BMD). Prophylactic vitamin D supplementation is recommended for epileptic children on these medications.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Bone Metabolism

    Background:

    • Long-term antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy can disrupt calcium and phosphorus balance, leading to vitamin D deficiency.
    • This metabolic imbalance poses a risk for bone health complications in children undergoing AED treatment.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of AED therapy on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in children with epilepsy.
    • To assess bone health in epileptic children treated with AEDs for over one year.

    Main Methods:

    • The study included 34 epileptic children (aged 6-12) on various AEDs (carbamazepine, valproate, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, or combinations) without vitamin D supplementation.
    • Lumbar spine BMD (L1-L4) was measured using a Lunar densitometer and compared to a control group of 35 healthy children.

    Main Results:

    • Epileptic children on AEDs showed significantly lower lumbar BMD Z-scores compared to controls, particularly females.
    • Both genders receiving antiepileptic polytherapy exhibited significantly reduced bone mineral density Z-scores versus the control group.
    • Therapy duration did not correlate with the degree of lumbar BMD reduction in either boys or girls.

    Conclusions:

    • Antiepileptic drug therapy exceeding one year is associated with adverse effects on lumbar spine BMD in epileptic children.
    • Vitamin D supplementation should be considered prophylactically for children with epilepsy on long-term AED treatment to mitigate bone density loss.
    Abstract

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