Beware! Young people, especially kids and teenagers, taking anti-epileptic drugs may experience elevated rates of bone fractures, finds a recent study.

The research also found that anti-epileptic drugs may cause reductions in bone mineral density and lower limb muscle force.Researchers analysed 23 individuals aged 5-18 years.They had been asked to take anti-epileptic drugs for at least 12 months.Each individual was matched to a twin, sibling or first cousin."These results need to be validated in a larger, longitudinal study investigating the association between anti-epileptic drug exposure and adverse outcomes in the developing skeleton over time," the researchers stated.The findings suggested the need to further explore bone health issues in young patients taking anti-epileptic medications.The research appears in the journal Epilepsia.