Browsing by Author "Kathuria, Aarti"
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Publication Serum Vitamin D levels in Children Receiving Sodium Valproate as Antiepileptic Medication in Uttar Pradesh, India(Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON), 2025) Kathuria, Aarti; Dadoria, Ranjeeta; Gupta, Pradeep KumarAbstract: Introduction: Epilepsy is a common problem among children. Most of these children are under sodium valproate therapy. Valproate is known to cause fluctuations in serum vitamin D3 level. The present study aimed to assess impact of sodium valproate on serum vitamin D3 levels in ambulated epileptic rural children. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2024 at a tertiary care centre in North India. Ambulatory children with epilepsy aged one to 18 years receiving sodium valproate monotherapy for more than six months were included. Children on valproate were cases and healthy volunteer children taken as controls. Data were analysed using SPSS v21 on Windows-10. Results: 130 children were enrolled. Vitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in children on valproate therapy compared to the controls. Mean levels in cases and controls were 14.98 + 2.19 ng / ml cf. 25.90 + 3.14 ng / ml respectively (P < 0.001). There was a strong negative correlation of duration of anti-epileptic drugs (AED) and vitamin D3 levels (Pearson’s correlation value of < .0001). Further, after vitamin D3 supplement of 60000 IU weekly for six weeks, 10% children did not achieve levels of 20 ng / ml (defined as cut off for deficiency). Conclusions: Study suggests that children on prolonged sodium valproate medication are at significant risk of vitamin D3 deficiency; vitamin D3 levels should be monitored and vitamin D3 supplementation considered. Vitamin D3 levels estimation after supplementation is important as repeat supplementation may be needed.