title: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease during valproate therapy.
abstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is effective for the treatment of many types of epilepsy, but its use can be associated with an increase in body weight. We report a case of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) arising in a child who developed obesity during VPA treatment. Laboratory data revealed hyperinsulinemia with insulin resistance. After the withdrawal of VPA therapy, our patient showed a significant weight loss, a decrease of body mass index, and normalization of metabolic and endocrine parameters; moreover, ultrasound measurements showed a complete normalization. The present case suggests that obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and long-term treatment with VPA may be all associated with the development of NAFLD; this side effect is reversible after VPA withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, 5 66100, Chieti Italy. averrott@unich.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verrotti
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Marco
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: la Torre
authors.forename: Piernicola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pelliccia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000139:chemically induced; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid