Latent Osteomalacia in Epileptic Patients on Anticonvulsants

The bone mineral content was measured in 10 epileptic patients on long-term treatment with phenytoin before and during treatment with vitamin D. None of the patients showed biochemical signs of osteomalacia. Initially subnormal values for bone mineral content were found, which increased significantly during treatment. The results suggest the occurrence of latent osteomalacia in a fairly high proportion of epileptic patients on anticonvulsants.