Effects of the Chronic Use of Anticonvulsants on Bone Mineral Density in Children with Epilepsy.
- Author:
Hyun Hee OH
1
;
You Cheol JANG
;
Byung Ho CHOE
;
Il Hyung PARK
;
Soon Hak KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. shkwon@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Anticonvulsants;
Bone density;
Child
- MeSH:
Child;
Male;
Female;
Humans
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2004;47(9):965-969
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Chronic administration of anticonvulsants for children with epilepsy may cause multiple abnormalities in bone metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anticonvulsants on bone mineral density(BMD) in children with epilepsy. METHODS: Seventy patients with epilepsy were enrolled in this study. All subjects had taken anticonvulsants for at least 1 year or more. Subjects were classified into three groups according to age(5-7 yrs, 8-11 yrs, >12 yrs). BMD was measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA) on the lumbar spine and whole body. Statistical analysis for BMD of anticonvulsants-treated subjects were compared to results with the published data. RESULTS: BMD was significantly decreased in the anticonvulsants-treated group as compared with the control group of all age groups(P<0.05). But BMD among groups according to anticonvulsants was not significantly different(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Because chronic administration of anticonvulsants for growing children leads to a decrease in BMD, early detection and management of abnormal BMD is important in monitoring of children with epilepsy.
