Vitamin D levels in epileptic children on long-term anticonvulsant therapy
Journal Title: Paediatrica Indonesiana - Year 2015, Vol 55, Issue 3
Abstract
Background Long-term anticonvulsant therapy, especially with enzyme inducers, has been associated with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. However, there have been inconsistent results in studies on the effect of long-term, non-enzyme inducer anticonvulsant use on vitamin D levels.Objective To compare 25(OH)D levels in epileptic children on long-term anticonvulsant therapy and non-epileptic children. We also assessed for factors potentially associated with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in epileptic children.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at two pediatric neurology outpatient clinics in Jakarta, from March to June 2013. Subjects in the case group were epileptic children, aged 6-11 years who had used valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or oxcarbazepine, as a single or combination therapy, for at least 1 year. Control subjects were non-epileptic, had not consumed anticonvulsants, and were matched for age and gender to the case group. All subjects’ 25(OH)D levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay.Results There were 31 epileptic children and 31 non-epileptic control children. Their mean age was 9.1 (SD 1.8) years. Most subjects in the case group were treated with valproic acid (25/31), administered as a monotherapy (21/31). The mean duration of anticonvulsant consumption was 41.9 (SD 20) months. The mean 25(OH)D level of the epileptic group was 41.1 (SD 16) ng/mL, lower than the control group with a mean difference of 9.7 (95%CI 1.6 to 17.9) ng/mL. No vitamin D deficiency was found in this study. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in the epileptic group was higher than in the control group (12/31 vs. 4/31; P=0.020). No identified risk factors were associated with low 25(OH)D levels in epileptic children.Conclusion Vitamin D levels in epileptic children with long-term anticonvulsant therapy are lower than that of non-epileptic children, but none had vitamin D deficiency.
Authors and Affiliations
Fathy Pohan, Aryono Hendarto, Irawan Mangunatmadja, Hartono Gunardi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP448544
- DOI 10.14238/pi55.3.2015.164-70
- Views 59
- Downloads 0
Skin prick test reactivity in atopic children and their number of siblings
Background Some studies have shown that low birth order is a risk factor for developing atopy, although these results remain inconclusive. Those studies put forth the hygiene hypothesis, which states that early childhood...
Quality of life among obese and non-obese early adolescents
Background Obesity in adolescents adversely affects both their psychological as well as their physical health.Objective To compare the quality of life between obese and non-obese early adolescents, using the PedsQL inven...
Visfatin levels in non-obese, obese, and insulin resistant adolescents
Background Adipose tissue is not merely a site for energy storage, but is also the largest endocrine organ, secreting various adipocytokines. Plasma visfatin, an adipocytokine predominantly secreted from visceral adipose...
Exposure to cow’s milk as a prognostic factor for atopic dermatitis during the first three months of life
Background The incidence of atopic dermatitis has increased inthe early life of children. Cow's milk, the first foreign protein towhich infants are exposed, is predicted to be a prognostic factorof atopic dermatitis.Obje...
Relationship between age at menarche and exposure to sexual content in audio-visual media and other factors in Islamic junior high school girls
Background In recent decades, girls have experienced menarche at earlier ages, which may have negative effects on health. Exposure to audio-visual media and other factors may influence the age at menarche, although past...