ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency among children with epilepsy
Methods: This prospective study conducted on 40 children with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drug immunotherapy for more than 1 year [Group I], 20 newly diagnosed epileptic children before receiving any medications [Group II], and 20 healthy children as controls [Group III]
Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum parathyroid hormone levels were measured in all children for evaluation of vitamin D
We studied the associations of various factors with hypo vitamins is D, including patient gender, age and body mass index, as well as type of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, antiepileptic drug regimen [enzyme inducer versus non-enzyme inducer], and dose of antiepileptic drug and duration of treatment
Results: In group, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [50%], vitamin D insufficicency was [20%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [30%]. In group II, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [30%], vitamin D insufficiency was [30%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [40%]. In group III, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was [20%], vitamin D insufficiency was [20%], and vitamin D sufficiency was [60%]
In the groups of studied children, females were associated with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels, while males were associated more with sufficient vitamin D level, which was statically significant [p<0.001]. Obese and overweight children were associated with deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels, while healthy weight children were associated more with sufficient vitamin D level, which was statistically significant [p].001]. Among children treated withcarbamazepine, [80%] of children had deficient vitamin D and [20%] had sufficient vitamin D, while in valproate group, only [20%] of children had deficient vitamin D, [40%] had insufficient vitamin D and [40%] had sufficient vitamin D, which was statistically significant [p<0.001]. Prolonged duration of treatment was associated with insufficient and deficient vitamin D levels, which was statistically significant [p<0.001]. However, no associations of the remaining factors including age, type of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and dose of antiepileptic drugs with hypo vitamins is D
Conclusion: Hypo vitamins is D is highly prevalent among children with epilepxy at diagnosis and during treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Female gender, increasing BMI, antiepileptic drugs [carbamazepine, Na valproate] and prolonged duration of treatment were associated with increased risk of hypo vitamins is D