Vitamin D and bone health among children with epilepsy.
The lay media and scientific literature have focused increasing attention on vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in recent years. Low vitamin D levels confer increased an risk of abnormal bone mineralization, and are linked to poor bone health in epilepsy patients. However, vitamin D is not the only determinant of bone health in children with epilepsy. Anticonvulsant medications, in addition to features and comorbidities of epilepsy and coexisting neurologic diseases, are important factors in this complex topic. We review the basic metabolism of vitamin D in terms of bone health among children with epilepsy. We also discuss the literature regarding vitamin D and bone mineral density in this population. Finally, we suggest algorithms for screening and treating vitamin D insufficiency in these patients.
Shellhaas
Renée A
RA
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. shellhaa@med.umich.edu
Joshi
Sucheta M
SM
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014807:Vitamin D