Valproate use and thyroid dysfunction in children with idiopathic epilepsy

Journal Title: Paediatrica Indonesiana - Year 2018, Vol 58, Issue 4

Abstract

Background Long-term administration of valproic acid (VPA) has side effects, including thyroid dysfunction. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) identified by elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations with normal thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), or normal free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) has been demonstrated in idiopathic epilepsy patients receiving VPA. Objective To evaluate for associations between age at initiation of VPA treatment and duration of treatment with thyroid dysfunction. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2012 to May 2013 in Haji Adam Malik and Pirngadi Hospitals, Medan, North Sumatera. Subjects were children ranging from 0 and below 18 years who had been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Blood specimens were taken to evaluate serum T3, T4, and TSH levels in all subjects. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 49 subjects were included in the study. Age of ≤ 4 years at initiation of VPA was found to be a significant risk factor for SCH in the bivariate analysis (OR 6.67; 95%CI 1.215 to 36.594, P=0.036). Three factors had P values <0.25 in the bivariate analysis and were subsequently analyzed by stepwise multivariate regression test: age at initiation of VPA, duration of treatment, and drug dosage. The VPA initiation at age <4 years had 6.67 times the risk of SCH than the age of >4 years (95%CI 1.215 to 36.594; P=0.029). Duration of treatment and VPA dosage were not significantly associated with SCH on multivariate analysis Conclusion Age ≤ 4 years old at the initiation of VPA is associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, no significant association was found between duration of treatment as well as drug dosage with  thyroid dysfunction.  

Authors and Affiliations

Josephine Sibarani, Melda Deliana, Johannes Saing

Keywords

Related Articles

Management of childhood Gitelman syndrome: a case study

Gitelman syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive, renal tubular salt wasting disorder characterized by hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis in combination with significant hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria.1,2 The prevale...

Selenium for acute watery diarrhea in children

Background Acute watery diarrhea remains a major health problem affecting infants and children in developing countries. Selenium deficiency may be a risk factor for diarrhea and vice versa. Few studies have been conducte...

Ketorolac vs. tramadol for pain management after abdominal surgery in children

Background Tramadol is a pure analgesic widely used forpostoperative treatment and well tolerated by children. Howevet;it has only a 50% efficacy. Ketorolac, a non􀁙steroid anri􀁙inflammation drug (NSAID), is widely used i...

Prescribing antibiotics to pediatric dengue: increasing risk of bacterial resistance

Background Use of antibiotics to treat self-limiting viral infections like dengue fever (DF) without any co-morbid conditions in pediatric patients is common practice in India, and a major contribution of the inappropria...

Blood pH and urinary uric acid-creatinine ratio in newborns with asphyxia

Background Asphyxia is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Prematurity (28%), sepsis (26%), and asphyxia (23%) are the most common causes of death in newborns. In Indonesia, the newborn mortality incidence i...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP508828
  • DOI 10.14238/pi58.4.2018.192-7
  • Views 115
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Josephine Sibarani, Melda Deliana, Johannes Saing (2018). Valproate use and thyroid dysfunction in children with idiopathic epilepsy. Paediatrica Indonesiana, 58(4), 192-7. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-508828