A case of chronic pancreatic insufficiency due to valproic acid in a child.
A 14-year-old child treated with valproic acid over several years for a seizure disorder developed abdominal pain with radiological evidence of acute pancreatitis. The association with valproic acid was not recognized, and the child continued to take the drug. The patient eventually developed steatorrhea and weight loss that improved with pancreatic enzyme replacement. Radiological evaluation showed an atrophic pancreas. Without evidence of other etiological factors, valproic acid by itself appeared to be the cause of chronic pancreatitis with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in this patient.
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Suite HG64, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada.
M A
MA
Cooper
A
A
Groll
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid