PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Muthaffar, Osama Y.
AU  - Almahmudi, Salha M.
AU  - Alrabghi, Muna O.
AU  - Bin Mahfouz, Maria M.
AU  - Alfawaz, Nuha S.
TI  - Valproic acid for children below 2 years of age with epilepsy
AID  - 10.17712/nsj.2021.4.20210075
DP  - 2021 Oct 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 357--365
VI  - 26
IP  - 4
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/26/4/357.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/26/4/357.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2021 Oct 01; 26
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of valproic acid (VPA) in a cohort of children below 2 years of age. We also aim to review the characteristics of such patients and the role and safety of VPA for this age group.Methods: A retrospective chart review conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdome of Saudi Arabia, for children below 2 years of age diagnosed with epilepsy and treated with valproic acid from January 2016 to January 2020.Results: The cohort for this study includes 50 children below the age of 2 years (25 males, 25 females). Aged 3 months to 23 months at commencing valproic acid. The mean age of seizure onset was 9 months and the mean age of starting valproic acid was 16 months. Thirty-two patients (64%) had more than 50% seizure improvement after valproic acid. Eleven patients (22%) were seizure-free. No statistical significance abnormalities in blood count indices and ammonia were seen during the treatment period. Two patients had dose-related lethargy that improved after decreasing their dosage. Asymptomatic mild elevation in glutamate dehydrogenase was noticed in 18% of patients.Conclusion: Using valproic acid in infants and children below the age of 2 years can be considered as a safe and effective treatment option for epilepsy in this age group.