Method:

we conducted a descriptive review of the evidence available in Pubmed and Scielo databases in the last 10 years.

Results:

we analysed 5 studies that met the search criteria we had previously set. Four of the studies were prospective and 2 had been carried out in India (one of them in children exposed to carbamazepine and the other one in adults with diphenylhydantoin or valproic acid), another one in Greece in children with carbamazepine or valproic acid exposure, and the deficit was in all three cases; the fourth study was conducted in Germany in children exposed to several antiepileptics and no association was found. A restrospective study was carried out in United States in adults exposed to several antiepileptics and an association was found in this case.

Discussion:

we point out the scarce number of studies found, they are observational, inlcude few patients and are short. It was evident that hipovitaminosis D was rather frequent although a causal relationship cannot be established. The extent of the problem is still not clear as there is no agreement on the Vitamin D levels that are to be regarded as defficient. Vitamin D prophylaxis in antiepileptic patients seems to be reasonable in spite of the limited information available. The association and its clinical implications need to be further charactertized.

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