Antiseizure Medications May Harm Bone Health in Children

Source: Indian pediatrics

Summary

This study looked at how antiseizure medications (ASMs) affect bone health in children aged 5 to 15 who had just been diagnosed with epilepsy and had not yet started treatment. Researchers followed 65 children for one year, measuring their bone mineral density (BMD) and other markers related to bone health before and after they began taking ASMs. The goal was to see if these medications had any impact on their bones over time.

The findings showed that after one year of treatment, the children's bone mineral density was significantly lower than when they started. This means their bones were not as strong as before. Additionally, levels of vitamin D, which is important for bone health, decreased, while a hormone related to bone metabolism increased. These changes were seen in both groups of children, whether they were taking one medication or multiple medications.

These results are important because they suggest that antiseizure medications can negatively affect bone health in young children with epilepsy. This could lead to a higher risk of bone problems later in life. However, the study had some limitations, such as a small number of participants and a focus on short-term effects, so more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of these medications on bone health.

Original source