1043-3155 Pediatr Neurol Briefs pedneurbriefs Pediatr Neurol Briefs Pediatric Neurology Briefs Pediatr Neurol Briefs 2166-6482 1043-3155 2166-3155 Pediatric Neurology Briefs Publishers Chicago, IL, USA PNB-14-67-a 10.15844/pedneurbriefs-14-9-4 Seizure Disorders Neurology Pediatrics Nervous System Diseases Child Development Brain Diseases Neurosurgery Child Infant Valproate-Induced Weight Gain http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0173-7931 Millichap J. Gordon MD 1 2 * Division of Neurology, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL Correspondence: Dr. J. Gordon Millichap, E-mail: jgmillichap@northwestern.edu 09 2000 01 04 2016 14 9 67 67 Copyright: © 2000 The Author(s) 2000 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Weight gain associated with valproate in childhood

To determine the relation of carnitine and insulin levels to weight gain during valproate therapy of epilepsy in children, twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive either carnitine or placebo supplementation, in a study at Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

 Weight Gain During Valproate Therapy Insulin/Glucose Carnitine Deficiency

To determine the relation of carnitine and insulin levels to weight gain during valproate therapy of epilepsy in children, twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive either carnitine or placebo supplementation, in a study at Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. The mean age was 8.3 and 9.4 years in the two groups. Seizures were completely controlled. Weight gain occurred in both groups after a 3 month period of observation. Weight gain did not correlate with carnitine levels. Mean insulin levels and insulin/glucose ratios were increased during valproate therapy. Weight gain might be related to the decrease in glucose levels and consequent appetite stimulation. [1]

COMMENT. Weight gain associated with valproate therapy for epilepsy is not related to carnitine deficiency. It may be caused by appetite stimulation, secondary to higher insulin and lower blood glucose levels. VPA may decrease glucose levels by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, and by other possible mechanisms.

Demir E Aysun S Weight gain associated with valproate in childhood Pediatr Neurol 2000 May 22 5 361 364 10.1016/S0887-8994(00)00133-8 10913727