Antiepileptic Drugs Effect on Vitamin D Status of Epileptic Children

Objective: As epilepsy and seizure disorders are common in children, antiepileptic drugs are used more commonly in this age group than in adults. This study was carried out in order to determine the vitamin D and calcium status of children receiving antiepileptic drugs and evaluation of effects of these drugs on vitamin D and calcium metabolism.
Material & Methods: Sixty epileptic children and adolescents visiting Children's Neurology Clinic who were taking antiepileptic drugs and had inclusion criterions were selected as simple sampling from July 2005 to June 2006. Thirty age and sex matched normal children and adolescents were considered as control group. Serum levels of 25OHD₃, calcium and alkaline phosphatase is compared between groups.
Findings: Serum levels of 25OHD₃ (P<0.001), calcium (P<0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (P<0.001) were significantly different between groups. Ten percent of patients had serum 25OHD₃ level below lower normal limit. There was a reverse correlation between duration of drug therapy and serum level of 25OHD₃ (r = - 0.345, P=0.011).
Conclusion: Antiepileptic drug treatment in children results in reducing serum 25OHD₃ and calcium levels and increases bone turnover. With longer duration of treatment serum 25OHD₃ level decreases more.