Role of Vitamin D in Childhood Epilepsy

Abstract

Background:Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and also considered a steroid hormone, that plays an important role in the proper functioning of many organs of the body.Adequate vitamin D status plays a very important role in terms of appropriate brain development and function .Regarding vitamin D,it's participation in the central nervous system's function is corroborated by the presence of the enzyme 25(OH)D3-1alpha-hydroxylase, which form of the active form of vitaminD, and the presence of receptors of vitamin D (VDR) in the brain tissue , mostly in the hypothalamus and substantia nigra. The aim of this review: is to evaluate the roleof vitamin D in childhood epilepsy and to study the vitamin D –antiepleptic drugs interactions among epileptic children. Conclusion: vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are highly prevalent among children with epilepsy.A lot of antiepileptic drugs lower vitamin D level and lead to more seizures specially enzyme inducers' drugs.

Keywords

• vitamin d; epilepsy; antiepileptic drugs