Bone Mineral Changes in Children Recieving Anticonvulsant Therapy

Abstract

Bone mineral content (BMC) in radius has been measured by 125-I single photon absorptiometry on 21 epileptic children, age 6-18 (mean 13.0), receiving chronic anticonvulsant therapy. No patients showed radiographic changes. The percentage of lower BMC less than mean-1SD on epileptic children was 33 at the distal 1/6 site and 25 at the distal 1/3 site of radius compared with those of age matched controls. An inerease of BMC at the distal 1/6 site of the radius was especially disturbed. Histomorphometric analysis was performed on the iliac bone of 5 cases whose BMC values were extremely low. They have undergone long term vitamin D treatment. In one case it was found that relative osteoid volume was increased significantly, and fractional formation surface was increased. In other cases, it was found that trabecular bone specific volume was decreased, and fractional resorption surface showed a tendency to increase. The mineral appositional rate of all cases was almost normal.