Deficits in bone mineral density are found in children with epilepsy, and these deficits worsen as illness duration increases.
Patients with epilepsy have increased risks for fracture and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). To determine the interaction between duration of epilepsy and reduction in BMD, these authors compared 82 children with epilepsy and no fracture history (age range, 6–18 years; mean, 12.4) and 32 healthy children (mean age, 12.8).
Patients were grouped by duration of epilepsy: <1 year (n=18), 1–5 years (n=37), and ≥ 6 years (n=27). Children with epilepsy had significantly lower age- and sex-corrected mean total body BMD than did controls. Patients’ BMD correlated negatively with epilepsy duration. After study entry, two patients with epilepsy duration of 12 and 16 years, respectively, sustained fractures. Polypharmacy prevented the investigators …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)