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Serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphate levels in epileptic children treated with phenobarbitone

N C Ojinnaka1, S O Iloeje

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

East African Medical Journal
|April 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Phenobarbitone treatment for ambulatory epileptic children aged 3-12 years did not significantly alter serum calcium, phosphate, or alkaline phosphatase levels over 12 months. These biochemical parameters remained within normal ranges throughout the study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children.
  • Antiepileptic drugs can affect mineral and bone metabolism.
  • Phenobarbitone is a widely used antiepileptic medication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of phenobarbitone on serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase levels in ambulatory epileptic children.
  • To monitor serum phenobarbitone levels during treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 89 ambulatory epileptic children (3-12 years) with generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
  • Serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
  • Serum phenobarbitone levels were measured at 6 and 12 months.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase levels remained within normal ranges throughout the 12-month study period.
  • No statistically significant differences were observed in these biochemical parameters at the three measurement points (P > 0.05).
  • Serum phenobarbitone levels were consistently within the therapeutic range.

Conclusions:

  • Phenobarbitone treatment is associated with stable serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase levels in ambulatory epileptic children over a 12-month period.
  • The study suggests phenobarbitone does not adversely affect these key biochemical parameters in this pediatric population.
  • Maintaining therapeutic phenobarbitone levels is crucial for seizure control without significant metabolic disturbances.

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