Fractures in epilepsy children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a greater risk of fractures (about 2-6 times more often) in epilepsy children than in children without epilepsy.


METHODS
This article describe 126 epilepsy children in age 7-16 who were treated with Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) in mono and add-on therapy during 5 years. In the control group were 132 children in age 7-16 without epilepsy and not treated with AEDs, observed in Outpatient Clinic due to headache for 5 years. In both groups we measured bone mineral density (BMD), the calcium and phosphate levels in blood and urine and frequency of fractures. We analyzed both groups statistically (Mann-Whitney test).


RESULTS
The frequency of fractures is 2-3 times greater in children with epilepsy then in the control group. Osteoporosis and osteopenia is more often present in children who have taken AEDs. Differences in calcium and phosphate levels in blood and urine between study and control group are statistically significant (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Fractures are an important adverse effect in children who are taking AEDs.
Gniatkowska-Nowakowska
Anna
A
Outpatient Clinic of Child Neurology and Epileptology, 25-565 Kielce, Kościuszki Str. No. 52/012, Poland. ankagn@mp.pl
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002118:Calcium