Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Current evidence indicates long-term use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is associated with impaired childhood bone health. The objective of this study was to ascertain the current clinical practice of paediatric neurologists managing children with epilepsy on long-term (>2 years) AED therapy, particularly against the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) current recommendation of vitamin D supplementation in patients on long-term AEDs at-risk of impaired bone health.
METHODS: An internet-based survey of UK paediatric neurologists who routinely see children with epilepsy (n = 95) covered clinicians' epilepsy case-load and reflection on their current clinical practice with estimation of the frequency with which they considered various bone health issues. Responses were graded as 'frequent'(≥50%), 'sometimes'(25%-50%) and 'infrequent'(<25%).
RESULTS: Overall response rate was 72/95 (76%). 3% frequently recommend prophylactic calcium and vitamin D supplementation, 6% frequently perform bone screening investigations, 7% frequently give bone health advice and 10% frequently enquire about skeletal risk factors. Clinical practices were not associated with epilepsy caseload (p-values 0.44-1). 84% infrequently performed bone health screening investigations. 54% of respondents indicated that, if performed, 100% would undertake bone profile, 64% 25(OH) Vitamin D, 18% PTH, 49% dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan and 13% bone X-ray.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of paediatric neurologists do not routinely consider bone health related issues in children on long-term AEDs. Greater emphasis should be placed on vitamin D supplementation in these children.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 417-23 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European Journal of Paediatric Neurology |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 2011 |
Keywords
- Anticonvulsants
- Bone Diseases
- Bone and Bones
- Child
- Epilepsy
- Health Care Surveys
- Humans
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Pilot Projects
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'
- Preventive Health Services
- Radiography
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Treatment Outcome
- United Kingdom
- Journal Article