Sodium valproate and thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia has been occasionally reported in patients on sodium valproate. Here is reported a 6-year-old boy on this drug who was found to have thrombocytopenia 6 months after initiation of administration and it was progressive up to 16 months. Though the medication was continued because of its efficacy, platelet count gradually recovered to the normal level spontaneously. Throughout the course, no hemorrhagic tendency was observed clinically. It was suggested that platelet count should be monitored periodically, but that the presence of thrombocytopenia itself does not serve as an absolute indication for discontinuing the drug.