Intravenous valproate for seizures in 137 Taiwanese children - Valproate naive and non-naive

Yu Ching Chang, Jainn Jim Lin, Huei Shyong Wang, Min Liang Chou, Po Cheng Hung, Meng Ying Hsieh, Kuang Lin Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Valproate has been widely used in controlling various kinds of seizures. Intravenous forms of valproate control seizures in a more rapid and efficacious pattern than oral forms. We evaluated the effectiveness and adverse effects of intravenous valproate for controlling seizures in Taiwanese children under 18 years old. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were performed on 137 pediatric patients receiving valproate infusion from January 2003 to December 2006. Patients were divided into 4 groups as follows: (1) previous use of other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (n=59), (2) previous use of oral valproate (n=8), (3) previous use of other AEDs and valproate (n=32), (4) first time use of valproate (n=38). The indications for using intravenous valproate include status epilepticus, repetitive seizures, prophylactic use for brain operations or in cases where oral administration was not feasible due to medical problems. Results: The mean age was 8±6.22 years old and the average dose was 31.2±26.45 mg/kg/day. The mean duration of usage was 7.8±6.99 days. Eight patients failed to respond to intravenous valproate and the AED was shifted to other drugs. Thirty-two patients achieved successful seizure control after adding other AEDs following intravenous valproate. The seizure control rate in our study was 71%, and six patients died of complications associated with an underlying disorder. An allergic reaction (skin rash) was found in 1 patient, while no serious adverse effects were noted in our patients. Conclusion: Intravenous valproate is effective and safe in controlling seizures in children who are either valproate naive or not.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-106
Number of pages7
JournalActa Neurologica Taiwanica
Volume19
Issue number2
StatePublished - 06 2010

Keywords

  • Epilepsy
  • Intravenous
  • Seizure
  • Valproate

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