Cases & Bibliography ( posted 2000)

Indian Pediatrics 2000;37: 296-307
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of childhood frequently requiring prolonged use of anticonvulsants. Most of the commonly used anticonvulsants particularly phenytoin, pheno-barbitone, and carbamazepine have the propensity to interfere with vitamin D meta-bolism. Though biochemical changes are frequent, clinically overt rickets or osteomalacia is rare(1-6). Since the signs and symptoms of osteomalacia are non-specific, the diagnosis is frequently delayed resulting in considerable morbidity(1,2). We report three cases with anticonvulsant induced osteomalacia.

Anticonvulsants and Rickets Correspondence in Pediatrics 1976; 57; 979

Abstract: Archives of Disease in Childhood, Vol 56, 446-449, Copyright © 1981
results indicate that although several factors--such as anticonvulsants, low vitamin D intake, and inactivity--are concerned in the development of rickets, the main cause is lack of sun in institutionalised handicapped children.

Wheeless