Folate and mineral metabolism in poorly nourished epileptic children

Ninety poorly nourished, ambulant, epileptic children, who had been receiving anticonvulsant medications for at least one year, were studied in respect to their folic acid and vitamin D metabolism. Only 11 (12.2%) had borderline or low folate levels. Serum vitamin D levels were low in five (8.9%); serum calcium levels were low in nine (10%); and serum phosphorus levels were low in three (3.3%). Alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in 19 (21.1%), but whether these arose from bone or liver was ot determined. Height retardation did not correlate with abnormal mineral metabolism.