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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells Using Valproic Acid
Published on: April 11, 2019
[Impact of valproates on haemostasis and blood cell count in children]
Insights
Valproate epilepsy medications can negatively affect children's blood counts and clotting. Higher doses and blood levels of valproates correlate with these adverse effects on haemostasis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Context:
- Epilepsy affects 0.5-1.5% of the global population.
- Valproates are commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs.
- Valproates are known to impact haemostasis and peripheral blood counts.
Purpose:
- To investigate the adverse effects of valproates on pediatric haemostasis and blood counts.
- To determine if these effects are dose-dependent and related to blood drug levels.
Summary:
- A two-year study analyzed 35 children on valproates, 12 on valproates and carbamazepine, and 30 healthy controls.
- Valproate use was associated with increased leukopenia, neutropenia, and eosinophilia.
- Children on valproates showed decreased platelets, fibrinogen, and platelet aggregation, with prolonged bleeding and prothrombin times.
Impact:
- Valproates negatively influence pediatric blood count parameters and haemostasis.
- Dosage and blood levels of valproates are directly correlated with their adverse haemostatic effects.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring blood parameters in children receiving valproate therapy.
Introduction:
Epilepsy is a highly prevalent disease affecting 0.5-1.5% of the world's population. One of the most frequently used antiepileptics are valproates. These medicines show a negative impact on haemostasis and peripheral blood count.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to examine the negative impact of valproates on haemostasis and peripheral blood count in children and to analyse whether these disturbances were dependent on the dosage of valproates and drug level in blood.
Method:
A two-year research was conducted. The research included: 35 children using valproates, 12 children using the therapy of both valproates and carbamazepine and 30 healthy children. Complete peripheral blood count, screening tests of haemostasis (bleeding time, prothrombin time, prothrombin ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen) and capacity of thrombocyte aggregation research were done in all the children.
Results:
We found significantly more common frequency of leukopenia and neutropenia in children using valproates in comparison with the healthy children group. We also found the more common frequency of eosinophilia in comparison with healthy children. The children with the valproate therapy have lower approximate values of the number of platelets, fibrinogen and platelet aggregation in comparison with healthy children, but they have a higher approximate value of bleeding time and prothrombin time. These disturbances are in correlation with the dosage and the level of the medicine in blood.
Conclusion:
Valproates have a negative effect on certain blood count parameters and haemostasis in children. Drug dosage and blood drug level are correlated with their negative impact on haemostasis parameters.
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