Anticonvulsant medication use and circulating levels of total thyroxine, retinol binding protein, and vitamin A in children with delayed cognitive development

Abstract

Circulating thyroxine (T4), retinol binding protein (RBP), and vitamin A were measured in conjunction with nutritional status assessment of 707 cognitively delayed children, ages 3.0–9.0 y. Twenty percent were receiving anticonvulsant (AC) medication. T4 was lower and RBP and vitamin A were higher (p less than 0.0001) among AC than non-AC subjects. Molar ratios of vitamin A:RBP did not differ between the two groups nor did intakes of protein or vitamin A. Lower T4 and higher RBP were found among children who received diphenylhydantoin (DPH), phenobarbital, or AC combinations, but vitamin A was higher only among those who received DPH. RBP and vitamin A were lower (p less than 0.05) among children with infections and vitamin A was lower (p less than 0.05) among those with serum zinc less than 70 microgramsd/L (less than 10.7 mumol/L); differences between AC and non-AC subjects remained when other variables were considered.