NUTRITIONAL FACTORS AND ANTICONVULSANT THERAPIES - EFFECT ON GROWTH IN CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

Factors influencing growth before puberty were examined in a group of 32 epileptic children in a cross-sectional investigation. Participants in the study were divided into two groups according to what anticonvu lsant drug, carbamazepine or valproic acid, they were currently taking . Dietary intakes of energy, iron, and zinc were assessed and hemoglob in and serum zinc concentrations were evaluated. Measurements of heigh t and weight were compared with standard growth charts prepared by the National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD. A Student's t test comparison was made along with analyses of covariance and stepwi se regression, and no significant differences were found between the t wo groups of children in terms of height or weight. Linear growth was normal. We found that low dietary zinc intake, 64-87% of the recommend ed dietary allowance, was not associated with reduced height in childr en. In addition, neither the number of years taking anticonvulsant med ication nor the total amount of drug intake had a significant effect o n weight. This was an unanticipated result because valproic acid has b een associated with weight gain because of increased appetite.