Age and Dosage-related Longitudinal Changes in Body Mass Index on Epileptic Children Treated with Topiramate

Kweon, Young Lan; Song, Kang Hoon; Chung, Sa Jun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The objective of this prospective study is to assess changes in body mass index(BMI, weight in kilograms/height in meters2) according to age and dosage on epileptic children treated with topiramate.
METHODS
From January 2006 to December 2008, prospective studies have been performed on 63 children with epilepsy aged below 15 old who had been treated with topiramate. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to age: 2-5 years as a group 1; 6-10 years as a group 2; 11-15 years as a group 3;, and classified into 2 groups according to dosage: from 2 to 5 mg/kg/day as group A, more than 5 mg/kg/day to 8 mg/kg/day as group B. We have checked BMI of patients four times and evaluated the changes in BMI of each group.
RESULTS
BMI at initial presentation and follow-up periods of 6, 12, and 24 months is as follows: 16.3+/-1.25, 14.3+/-1.8, 14.2+/-2.4, and 15.7+/-2.1 in the group 1, 18.5+/-1.23, 15.2+/-1.24, 14.8+/-2.27, and 16.8+/-2.5 in the group 2, 21.6+/-2.31, 16.5+/-2.17, 15.4+/-2.56, and 15.1+/-1.3 in the group 3. Comparing with group A and B is as follows: 19.3+/-2.35 and 18.1+/-1.89 at initial presentation, 15.5+/-2.45 and 15.1+/-1.15 at 6 months, 14.9+/-2.15 and 14.7+/-1.91 at 12 months, 15.9+/-1.28 and 16.0+/-1.12 at 24 months.
CONCLUSION
The effect of topiramate on changes of BMI shows difference according to age. In groups of 2-10 years old, BMI was rebounded from lowest value after 12 months, however, in the group of 11-15 years old, BMI kept decreasing at 24 months. And dosage of topiramate does not affect to BMI significantly.