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Valproate encephalopathy and hypocarnitinaemia in diabetic patients
L Averbuch-Heller1, T Ben-Hur, A Reches
1Department of Neurology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Neurology
|August 1, 1994
Abstract:
Two patients with epilepsy and diabetes mellitus developed encephalopathy while on valproate monotherapy. Low plasma carnitine levels were found. Discontinuation of valproate was followed by clinical recovery and normalization of carnitine levels. Both valproate treatment and diabetes mellitus may contribute to secondary carnitine deficiency, with resultant encephalopathy. Thus, diabetic patients may be at increased risk of developing valproate encephalopathy associated with hypocarnitinaemia.