The Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (AED) on Serum Copper Level in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which brain activity becomes irregular, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Serum copper level may change due to long term use of antiepileptic drugs. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the serum copper level in childhood epilepsy treated with long-term Anti-Epileptic Drug (AED). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Paediatric Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during March to August’ 2013. Sample size was one hundred, among these fifty were case (epileptic child who had received  anti-epileptic drugs (Carbamazepine and/or Valproic acid) for more than three months) and rest fifty were control (newly diagnosed epileptic child, who yet not received antiepileptic drug). Result: The mean copper level was 1.11±0.32 µg/ml in case group and 0.96±0.20 µg/ml in control group, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The use of one drug or multiple drugs in the treatment of epileptic patients may play significant role in increasing copper serum level.