[Sodium valproate (Na VPa) monotherapy in childhood epilepsy ]

80 epileptic children were treated with sodium valproate as a monotherapy for a mean duration of 15 months. The fits stopped in 50% and diminished in 27.5% of cases. The treatment was particularly efficient in primary generalized epilepsies (cessation in 77%, reduction in 18% of cases), in the photosensitive epilepsies, and in children with a normal mental development. Reducing a multiple treatment to valproate monotherapy resulted in behavioral improvement in 10 of 11 cases and in a reduction or even a discontinuation of the fits. Drowsiness, insomnia, hair loss, gastrointestinal disturbances and weight gaining were the most important side effects. Evaluations of the plasmatic levels in relation to daily doses allow to advise a mean daily dose of 20-30 mg/kg depending on the child's age.