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Body mass index and serum lipid changes during treatment with valproic acid in children with epilepsy

Salvatore Grosso1, Rosa Mostardini, Barbara Piccini

  • 1Pediatric Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. grosso@unisi.it

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|December 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Valproic acid treatment in young children can lead to significant weight gain, increasing BMI z-scores. However, metabolic markers remained stable, suggesting careful monitoring is key for epilepsy management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Valproic acid is a first-line antiepileptic drug with a broad spectrum of activity.
  • Weight gain is a known side effect, but data in children aged 2-8 years is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores in young children treated with valproic acid.
  • To evaluate alterations in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels during valproic acid therapy.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective longitudinal study included 87 children (mean age 4.8 years) on valproic acid for at least 3 months.
  • Changes in BMI z-scores and metabolic markers were analyzed using longitudinal methods.

Main Results:

  • BMI z-scores significantly increased by an average of 0.80 over 3.1 years (p=0.001).
  • The percentage of overweight children increased from 6.9% to 16% (p=0.081).
  • No significant changes were observed in triglyceride, cholesterol, or fasting glucose levels.

Conclusions:

  • Valproic acid therapy is associated with weight gain in young children, evidenced by increased BMI z-scores.
  • While BMI z-scores increased, the final percentage of overweight children was comparable to healthy controls.
  • Metabolic parameters remained stable, suggesting weight gain is the primary concern, not metabolic dysfunction.
Abstract

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