Comparison of 25-hydroxy vitamin D serum levels among children with epilepsy in therapy with single versus multiple antiseizure medications

OBJECTIVE: Treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs) for more than 6 months requires monitoring of side effects, one of which is a decreased level of serum vitamin D. This study aimed to compare the influence of therapies with one versus multiple ASMs on 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels among children with epilepsy. METHODS: Our cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Paediatric Neurology Clinic at Soetomo Academic Hospital. Epileptic children aged 2–18 years who had been using ASMs for at least 6 months were enrolled and grouped according to whether they had been taking single or multiple ASMs. The mean 25-OHD levels of both groups were compared using a Welch t-test (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Among the 60 children enrolled, vitamin D deficiency was identified in 13% of children taking a single ASM and in 53% of ones taking multiple ASMs; mean 25-OHD levels were 26.6 (SD 5.29) ng/mL and 20.2 (SD 4.25) ng/mL, respectively. There was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking single and multiple ASMs have lower 25-OHD levels than expected for their age, with those taking multiple ASMs having the lowest 25-OHD levels.