Prognosticators of bone health in pediatrics with epilepsy using anti-epileptic drugs

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common and long-lasting neurological disorder in children who require long-term treatment with Antiepileptic drugs (AED). Such long-term AED use may have negative effects on bone causing bone loss and osteoporosis, necessitating frequent monitoring. Data on the effect of AED on bone health in children is scarce compared to adults and hence this study was undertaken.  Aim: To compare and quantify the effects of sodium valproate (SV), carbamazepine (CBZ), and levetiracetam (LEV) on bone health in children using specific bone biomarkers such as vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), and beta serum cross laps (CTx). Materials and methods: A prospective interventional study was carried out in Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, between October 2019 to March 2022. A total of 79 confirmed cases of epilepsy within the age group of 1-18 years, receiving treatment with sodium valproate (SV), carbamazepine (CBZ), and levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy for a period of minimum one month were enrolled. Serum samples of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (PO4), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Vitamin D were analyzed at the time of initiation of study and these levels were considered as baseline levels. 