[Diagnosis of anticonvulsant osteomalacia in adults (author's transl)]

In 100 epileptic patients under treatment with long-term anti-convulsants, radiographs of the hands and feet, and estimations of serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and inorganic phosphate were done to detect a medication-induced osteomalacia. The correlation between the individual parameters was investigated. It was shown that the serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol level and the skeletal radiograph were the most valuable in the early detection of osteomalacia. One of these investigations in addition to routine serum chemistry is recommended for the future at the yearly follow-up examinations of adult epileptics so that early and adequate treatment with vitamin D can be started.