Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in children using antiepileptic drugs. Multiple antiepileptic drugs may conceivably increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Aim of the work: to determinate the vitamin D status and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in children with refractory epilepsy.
Patient and method: Fifty refractory epileptic patients and fifty matched healthy subject participated in the study collected by simple random methods. This study was carried out in both General pediatric and Neurology Outpatient Clinics in Bab El-Sheria Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. In the period from April 2019 to November 2020.Measurements of serum levels of 25-OH Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and alkaline phosphatase were done for included subjects.
Results: Serum 25-OH Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower, whereas serum parathormone and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in epileptic children compared to control subjects. Epileptic children treated with antiepileptic drugs which increase catabolism of vitamin D by inducing CYP 450 had significantly lower serum (calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D) values compared to those receiving non enzyme inducing CYP 450.
Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is common in children with epilepsy treated with antiepileptic drugs which increase catabolism of vitamin D by inducing CYP 450 as carbamazepine, Phenytoin or phenobarbital.
Recommendation: Hence vitamin D status of children treated with these drugs should be regularly monitored and vitamin D supplements should be considered on an individual basis.
Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in children using antiepileptic drugs. Multiple antiepileptic drugs may conceivably increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Aim of the work: to determinate the vitamin D status and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in children with refractory epilepsy.
Patient and method: Fifty refractory epileptic patients and fifty matched healthy subject participated in the study collected by simple random methods. This study was carried out in both General pediatric and Neurology Outpatient Clinics in Bab El-Sheria Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. In the period from April 2019 to November 2020.Measurements of serum levels of 25-OH Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, and alkaline phosphatase were done for included subjects.
Results: Serum 25-OH Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower, whereas serum parathormone and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in epileptic children compared to control subjects. Epileptic children treated with antiepileptic drugs which increase catabolism of vitamin D by inducing CYP 450 had significantly lower serum (calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D) values compared to those receiving non enzyme inducing CYP 450.
Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is common in children with epilepsy treated with antiepileptic drugs which increase catabolism of vitamin D by inducing CYP 450 as carbamazepine, Phenytoin or phenobarbital.
Recommendation: Hence vitamin D status of children treated with these drugs should be regularly monitored and vitamin D supplements should be considered on an individual basis.