Effect of some antiepileptic drugs [AEDS] on male puberty in adolescent epileptic patients receiving long-term therapy

ABSTRACT

It has been observed that male epileptic children receiving antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] have often complained of delayed development of the secondary sexual characters at the time of puberty, suggesting the occurrence of drug-induced delayed puberty. In the current study, the effects of epilepsy itself and/or the chronic use of AEDs on this developmental process were evaluated. Forty-five epileptic patients [15 untreated, 15 phenytoin treated and 15 carbamazepine-treated] and 15 healthy normal controls were studied by serum analysis for luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], free testosterone [FT] as well as by assessment of the testicular volume. Results showed decreased serum levels of LN, FSH and FT in the untreated as well as the long-term phenytoin [PFIT] or carbamazepine [CBZ] monotherapy. Moreover, the testicular volume was significantly reduced in all untreated and treated patients with different regimens. The results suggested that the disease condition per se has a delaying effect on the male puberty and that PHT and CBZ may have an additive influence