Correlation Between Calcium Serum Levels and Bone Mineral Density with Duration of Antiepileptic Drugs Uses in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are widely used to control seizure in children with epilepsy. These drugs are commonly used for a long time and are related with abnormalities of bone metabolism. This study investigates the correlation between calcium serum levels and bone mineral density (BMD) with duration of AEDs treatment. Thirty children with epilepsy on AEDs treatment for more than six months were evaluated. Data calcium serum, BMD, and duration of treatment were collected on the same time. Calcium serum and BMD was examined using immunoradiometric assay and dual energy X-ray, respectively. Pearson Correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between variable with significances if P value < 0.05. The subjects included 12 girls and 18 boys with mean age 8.5 years old. Duration of AEDs treatment, calcium serum levels, and BMD were 20.5 months, 9.35 (SD 0.32) mg/dl, and 0.81 (SD 0.07) g/cm2, respectively. It was moderate correlation between calcium serum and duration of treatment (r=-0.493; P=0.006). It was weak correlation between BMD and duration of treatment (r=-0.251; P=0.181). Duration of AEDs treatment in children with epilepsy correlated with calcium serum levels and BMD