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Do newborns of epileptics on anticonvulsants develop biochemical signs of osteomalacia?

C Christiansen, N J Brandt, F Ebbesen

    Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
    |September 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pregnant women with epilepsy do not require extra vitamin D. Their newborns did not experience more severe low calcium levels compared to controls, indicating no need for prophylactic vitamin D supplementation.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Obstetrics
    • Pediatrics

    Background:

    • Calcium homeostasis is crucial during pregnancy.
    • Epilepsy and its treatment can affect maternal and fetal health.
    • The role of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant epileptics is debated.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare calcium homeostasis biochemical indices in pregnant women with epilepsy and normal pregnant controls.
    • To assess these indices in newborns of epileptic and non-epileptic mothers.
    • To inform the debate on prophylactic vitamin D supplementation for pregnant epileptics.

    Main Methods:

    • A controlled prospective study involving 16 pregnant epileptics and 9 normal pregnant controls.
    • Biochemical indices of calcium homeostasis (serum calcium, magnesium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase) were measured at multiple time points: 18 weeks gestation, birth, 8 days postpartum, and 6 months postpartum.
    • Newborns were also monitored for these indices during their first 6 months of life.

    Main Results:

    • Serum alkaline phosphatase significantly increased during pregnancy in both groups, with higher levels in epileptic mothers.
    • Newborns in both groups experienced a significant drop in serum calcium on the first day of life, normalizing by 1 month.
    • Serum alkaline phosphatase doubled in newborns between day 8 and day 30 in both groups.

    Conclusions:

    • Pregnancy in women with epilepsy does not necessitate additional vitamin D supplementation.
    • Newborns of epileptic mothers do not exhibit more severe hypocalcemia than controls.
    • Current findings suggest prophylactic vitamin D is not required for pregnant epileptics based on calcium homeostasis markers.

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