Korean J Pediatr.  2005 May;48(5):527-533.

Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in the Children with Epilepsy Taking on Chronic Anticonvulsants

• Lee SB
• Kang SY
• Yu J

Abstract

PURPOSE
Long-term administration of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy may cause short stature, hypocalcemia and low bone mineral density. This study was performed for the early detection of abnormal bone metabolism in children with epilepsy on taking anticonvulsants.
METHODS
Thirty children aged 5 to 16 years who were diagnosed with epilepsy were enrolled in this study. All had taken anticonvulsants for more than one year. Bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol[25(OH)D3], parathyroid hormone, and urine deoxypyridinoline were measured as biochemical bone markers. Bone age and body mass index were also calculated.
RESULTS
Bone minreal density, body mass index, bone age, and height were significantly decreased in two female patients who had taken two antiepileptic drugs for more than four years and they also had chronic diseases such as cerebral palsy with microcephaly, encephalomalacia, and microcephaly with atrial septal defect. Bone mineral density had significant positive correlations with body mass index(P<0.01) and bone age(P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
This study showed chronic medication of anticonvulsants in children may cause low bone mineral density and short stature. Bone age and body mass index could be the important surrogate markers to find the population at risk. More studies, including a large study population and long term cohort study, will be required.

Keyword

Bone mineral density; Bone markers; Child; Epilepsy; Anticonvulsants

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Alkaline Phosphatase
Anticonvulsants*
Biomarkers
Body Mass Index
Bone Density*
Calcium
Cerebral Palsy
Child*
Chronic Disease
Cohort Studies
Encephalomalacia
Epilepsy*
Female
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial
Humans
Hypocalcemia
Metabolism
Microcephaly
Parathyroid Hormone
Population Characteristics
Spine
Alkaline Phosphatase
Anticonvulsants
Calcium
Parathyroid Hormone