No abstract

Objective: Valproate (VPA) is widely prescribed for the treatment of various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to determine the effect of VPA therapy, which was thought to have weight gain effect on nutritional status and some biochemical factors in children with epilepsy. Material and Methods:The study included 30 children and adolescents who received VPA monotherapy because of the diagnosis of epilepsy. Selected biochemical parameters before and 12 months after VPA treatment were recorded retrospectively from the patient files. VPA dose ranges from 11-40 mg/kg/day. VPA plasma levels were maintained within the therapeutic limits throughout the study. The anthropometric measurements of the patients were recorded in the WHO Anthro program for children aged 1-5 years and the WHO Anthro-Plus program for children aged 5-18 years. Results:The epilepsy age of the patients was determined as 48.85±38.16 months; and they have been receiving VPA therapy at a dose of 25.00±10.75 mg/kg/day for 18.95±6.02 months. While no difference was found in terms of hunger visual analogue scale (VAS) scores before and after treatment, VAS scores of appetite increased and satiety decreased (p<0.05). BMI-SDSs, fasting insulin (µIU/mL), HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) and triglyceride (mg/dL) levels increased after VPA treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion:As a result, it has been determined that VPA treatment can decrease satiety and increase appetite, cause weight gain, and affect some biochemical parameters negatively such as insulin and blood lipids.