title: Early and persistent increase in serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations in epileptic children treated with carbamazepine and sodium valproate monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate by a prospective, self-controlled method, whether treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ) and sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy may alter serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in epileptic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum Lp(a) concentrations have been determined in 18 epileptic children before and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment with CBZ monotherapy and in 30 epileptic children before and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment with VPA monotherapy. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B concentrations and serum concentrations of biochemical markers of liver and renal function were also measured in the study participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum Lp(a) concentrations were significantly increased at 6, 12 and 24 months of CBZ and VPA monotherapy. There were no significant correlations between serum Lp(a) and serum lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, concentrations of biochemical markers of liver and renal function or antiepileptic-drugs concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children who receive CBZ or VPA monotherapy may have significant and persistent increase in serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations, occuring early in the course of therapy. It may be useful to measure serum Lp(a) concentrations routinely in epileptic children taking these antiepileptic drugs, especially in those that are already at higher atherosclerotic risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, P&A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Voudris
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attilakos
authors.forename: Eustathia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katsarou
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drakatos
authors.forename: Stamatia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dimou
authors.forename: Sotiria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastroyianni
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skardoutsou
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prassouli
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garoufi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid