For the purpose of mass screening of metalolic bone diseases, we evaluated long-term anticonvulsant induced bone atrophic changes.
The diameter and osteodensity of the second metacarpal bone in hand films of 46 children in-patients of Beppu Seisien were measured by microdensitometry (MD method).
Laboratory findings including gerum Ca, P, ALP were compared with the severity of bone atrophy.
The following results were obtained. 16 cases (35%) were normal, 19 cases (41%) were in the initial stage of abnormality, 11 cases (24%) in grade I, no case with grade II or III of abnormality.
The severity of bone atrophy correlated with serum Ca and ALP but the duration of anticonvulsant administration did not correlate with the severity of bone atrophy.
Sixteen children with noted atrophy were treated with “1α-OH-D3” and after 15 months their bone atrophy was remeasured by the MD method. In almost all cases the bone atrophy was well improved showing the “1α-OH-D3” to be very effective.
Baned on there results, it is suggested that roentgenologic and biochemical supervision of patients is required during long-term anticonvulsant therapy.
