Folic acid supplementation prevents phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth in children.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Gingival overgrowth is an important adverse effect of phenytoin (PHT) therapy, occurring in about half of the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral folic acid supplementation (0.5 mg/day) for the prevention of PHT-induced gingival overgrowth (PIGO) in children with epilepsy aged 6-15 years on PHT monotherapy for 6 months.

Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at a tertiary level hospital from May 2008 to June 2009. Children aged 6-15 years started on PHT monotherapy within last 1 month were eligible for inclusion. Preexisting gingival overgrowth, use of other folic acid antagonists, and macrocytic anemia were exclusion criteria. Trial subjects were randomized to receive either folic acid or placebo. The

SUBMITTER: Arya R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3090066 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature