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CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Child Science 2021; 11(01): e331-e337
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740467
Original Article

A Comparative Study of Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels in Children with Seizures Receiving Monotherapy and Polytherapy

Nazeem Fathima A.
1   Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Radha Kumar 
2   Department of Pediatrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Dev Kumar V.
2   Department of Pediatrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Devanand Gulab Chaudhary 
2   Department of Pediatrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
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Abstract

The association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and bone health in individuals with epilepsy has been recognized for more than 30 years. Several studies indicate an increased risk for bone loss in patients on antiepileptic medication as well as low levels of serum 25(OH)D. Patients on polytherapy AED are at a higher risk of adverse drug effects compared with those on monotherapy. The present study assessed serum 25(OH)D levels in children receiving AED and compares those children receiving monotherapy versus polytherapy. This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital setting on children with seizures receiving AEDs for period of more than 6 months. Participants were enrolled in three groups: 25 children on monotherapy, 25 children on polytherapy, and 25 healthy controls. Serum 25(OH)D level was performed for all children and analyzed. Serum 25(OH)D levels were normal in 52%, insufficient levels in 43.3%, and deficient in 6.7% of children. Vitamin D level was insufficient in 40% of children receiving monotherapy and 52% receiving polytherapy AED. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 4% in monotherapy group and 16% in polytherapy group which was statistically significant (p-value 0.047). Vitamin D deficiency was higher in children receiving AED compared with normal controls. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were higher in children on polytherapy. Our study emphasized the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels in children receiving AED to detect abnormalities in vitamin D levels.

Keywords

antiepileptic drugs - polytherapy - seizures - 25(OH)D


Publication History

Received: 30 July 2021

Accepted: 02 November 2021

Article published online:
17 December 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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