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Antiepileptic Drugs and Bone Health in Thai Children with Epilepsy
Insights
Children on antiepileptic drugs show no significant difference in vitamin D deficiency compared to healthy peers. However, monitoring bone health and vitamin D levels is crucial for pediatric epilepsy patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common childhood neurological disorder requiring long-term antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.
- Previous research suggests AEDs may impact vitamin D status and bone health in children.
- Understanding these effects is vital for managing pediatric epilepsy patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with epilepsy on AEDs.
- To assess bone mineral density in this pediatric population.
- To compare these parameters with a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 30 epileptic children (aged 3-18) on AEDs for ≥6 months and 30 age-matched healthy children.
- Analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, albumin, and parathyroid hormone levels.
- Bone mineral density and urinary calcium/phosphorus levels were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 23.3% of epileptic children and 26.7% of healthy controls.
- Low bone mineral density was noted in 3 epileptic children with cerebral palsy.
- Epileptic children showed statistically significant decreases in serum albumin and corrected serum calcium.
Conclusions:
- Evaluation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status is essential for children with epilepsy.
- Monitoring bone metabolism is a critical component of managing pediatric epilepsy.
- Early detection and intervention can mitigate potential complications associated with AED use.
Unlabelled:
Background: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in children. The patient must take antiepileptic drug for controlling the seizure at least 2 years. Many previous studies show the effect of antiepileptic drug to vitamin D status and bone health.
Objective:
To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and bone mineral density in the children who are taking antiepileptic drug at least 6 months.
Material And Method:
Thirty epileptic children who are 3-18 years old with taking antiepileptic drug at least 6 months and 30 healthy children in the same age were performed to investigate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, parathyroid hormone, spot urine calcium, spot urine phosphorus, spot urine creatinine and bone mineral density between October 2012 to September 2013.
Results:
Seven epileptic children (23.3%), eight healthy children (26.7%) have vitamin D deficiency. Only 3 epileptic children who are cerebral palsy also have low bone mineral density. There is only statistical significant of decreased serum albumin (p-value = 0.03) and corrected serum calcium (p-value = 0.04) that reveal in epileptic children group.
Conclusion:
Evaluation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and bone metabolism is essential in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.
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