Background: Valproic acid is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug used for the management of partial and generalized seizures, bipolar disorders, and migraine prophylaxis. Valproicacid treatment reportedly causes metabolic adverse effects, the most frequent of which is weight gain. The goal of this work is to study the effect of valoprate therapy on body weight and serum leptin in children with epilepsy.
Methods: This prospective case control study was done in Pediatric neurology clinic, Pediatric Department, in Benha University Hospital. And was conducted on 60 child divided into 2 groups ( Group 1) study group and ( Group 2) control group. All subjects were subjected to ( full history taking, complete clinical assessment and laboratory investigation including serum leptin).
Results: There was a highly statistically significant increase in serum leptin in children treated with valporate compared to healthy controls. Also body weight and body mass index increased significantly.
Conclusion:. VPA causes weight gain that is possibly due to multiple endocrinologic mechanisms like increase lipiten level. However, it is difficult to select candidates susceptible to weight gain prior to treatment.
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