Abstract
Calcium metabolism and plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites were investigated in 27 children on long-term anticonvulsant therapy. Serum calcium was in the low normal range, phosphorus was normal, parathyroid hormone concentrations and alkaline phosphatase were elevated. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25-(OH)2D) were decreased, but 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D) was normal when compared with a synchronous control group. The serum concentrations of all anticonvulsant drugs given were measured. The decreases in 25-OH D and 24,25-(OH)2D did not depend on the blood level of a single drug, or any combination of drugs given, or on the duration of therapy. The 25-OH D levels were negatively correlated with the number of different drugs used, which may reflect the severity of the neurologic disorder, and therefore with non-specific factors such as exposure to sunlight, nutrition, or physical activity.
Our data do not support the hypothesis that anticonvulsant drugs act on vitamin D metabolism.
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. G.-A. von Harnack on occasion of his 65th birthday
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Keck, E., Gollnick, B., Reinhardt, D. et al. Calcium metabolism and vitamin D metabolite levels in children receiving anticonvulsant drugs. Eur J Pediatr 139, 52–55 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442080
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442080