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Epilepsy treatment by sacrificing vitamin D

Ayşe Nurcan Cebeci1, Barış Ekici

  • 1Derince Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, Kocaeli, Turkey.

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|April 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric epilepsy treatment with antiepileptic drugs can negatively impact bone health, leading to vitamin D deficiency. This review highlights the overlooked connection between antiepileptic drugs, vitamin D, and bone metabolism in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common childhood neurologic disorder requiring long-term antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.
  • Both epilepsy and its comorbidities negatively affect bone health in pediatric patients.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is a significant global health issue, potentially exacerbated by chronic disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review vitamin D metabolism and its role in the brain.
  • To discuss the impact of AEDs on vitamin D levels and bone health in children.
  • To raise awareness among neurologists about this overlooked issue.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of studies examining vitamin D deficiency and AEDs.
  • Synthesis of information on vitamin D's effect on brain function and bone metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Antiepileptic drug treatment is associated with negative effects on bone health in children.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is a common consequence of AED therapy in pediatric epilepsy.
  • The link between AEDs, vitamin D deficiency, and bone metabolism in children is often overlooked.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians must consider the impact of AEDs on bone metabolism in children with epilepsy.
  • Addressing vitamin D deficiency is crucial for managing bone health in pediatric patients on AEDs.
  • Further research and clinical attention are needed to mitigate bone health issues in children with epilepsy.

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