Keyhani Doost Z, Moayyeri H, Khosroshahi N, Molatefi R,
Volume 68, Issue 10 (1-2011)
Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is a common disease in the pediatric neurology. There are frequent
anti-epileptic drugs which are used in management of epilepsy. Anti-epileptic
drugs may have some complications on bone and vitamin-D
metabolism. In this study we aimed to evaluate vitamin-D
metabolism in epileptic children.
Methods: The study was a prospective and cross sectional one. A
total 89 epileptic children who were taking
anti-epileptic drugs for longer than six months with no underlying disorder in
Imam Khomeini and Bahrami Hospitals in Tehran,
Iran were
enrolled in our study
Results: Forty nine boys and 40 girls were enrolled
in this study mean age of the patients was 7.8±2.1
years. Mean duration of anti-epileptic drug therapy was 2.3
years (SD=0.4), 70
of patients were under monotherapy and 19 were
under polytherapy. None of the patients had signs of rickets. Serum calcium and
phosphor levels were within normal ranges. Serum alkaline phosphates levels
were increased more than two times in 43%.
42% had vitamin-D
deficiency (25-OH Vit D<10
ng/ml) and another 33% had vitamin-D
insufficiency (10<25-oh Vit
D<20 ng/ml). 29
patients (32%) were taking
prophylactic supplemental Vit
D (200-400 IU/day). There was
significant difference between patients taking supplemental vitamin-D
as prophylaxis and patients who did not (p=0.04).
There was no significant difference in vitamin-D
levels between patients according to age, gender or different drugs.
Conclusion: Periodic measurement of 25-hydroxy vitamin-D is
recommended in epileptic children taking anti-epileptic dugs. Supplemental
vitamin-D administration in such
patients may be helpful.
