Study of vitamin d deficiency in patients on anti-epileptic

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is most prevalent neurological condition in children¹. A prevalence of 1.1 cases per 1000 people was found in an Indian study. Long-term use of antiepileptic medications (AEDs) causes hepatic P450 enzymes, which speed up vitamin D metabolism and increase its degradation into inactive metabolites, resulting in aberrant bone metabolism. Present study was conducted to assess the levels of serum vitamin D in children with epilepsy on Antiepileptic drugs

Materials and Methods: Present observational comparative study was carried out between 2022 and 2023. 60 cases on antiepileptic drugs between 4-16 years of age of both gender (30 cases on valproate & 30 on phenytoin) were enrolled. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in all cases & data evaluated for significance.

Observations and Results: Mean ± SD of age was 8.03 ± 2.48 in group 1 & 7.03 ± 2.64 in group 2. Male cases were 32 (53 %) & female cases were 28 (47 %). Mean ± SD of VIT D level (ng/mL) was 23.67 ± 9.42 in group 1 & 28.63 ± 9.55in group 2. Difference was statistically significant (P=0.04). When VIT D status was correlated with type of antiepileptic drugs, result showed statistically significant correlation (P=0.03).

Conclusion: Present study's findings indicate that antiepileptic medicine and duration of antiepileptic therapy are strongly correlated with vitamin D deficiency

Keywords: Vitamin D, antiepileptic, Epilepsy