Early and persistent increase in serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations in epileptic children treated with carbamazepine and sodium valproate monotherapy.
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.
Voudris
Konstantinos A
KA
Department of Neurology, P&A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Attilakos
Achilleas
A
Katsarou
Eustathia
E
Drakatos
Antonios
A
Dimou
Stamatia
S
Mastroyianni
Sotiria
S
Skardoutsou
Angeliki
A
Prassouli
Alexia
A
Garoufi
Anastasia
A
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
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid