title: Evaluation of subclinical hypothyroidism in ambulatory children with controlled epilepsy on valproate monotherapy.
abstract: There are conflicting reports in the literature about the influence of valproate on thyroid function. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in ambulatory children aged 3 to 15 years with controlled epilepsy receiving valproate monotherapy for at least 6 months. Fifty-seven consecutive children with controlled epilepsy on valproate monotherapy and 52 healthy age- and sex-matched control children were studied. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, and serum valproic acid levels were measured. There was a significantly high (P = .012) prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (26%) in those receiving valproate monotherapy compared with healthy controls (7.7%). Median duration of valproate therapy was significantly higher (P = .039) in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (21 months, range 6-36) compared with those without subclinical hypothyroidism (14 months, range 6-25). Results of the present study suggest higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in children with controlled epilepsy on long-term valproate monotherapy.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. sheffaligulati@gmail.com
authors: Jitendra K
authors: JK
authors: Sahu
authors: Sheffali
authors: S
authors: Gulati
authors: Madhulika
authors: M
authors: Kabra
authors: Ravindra
authors: R
authors: Arya
authors: Rajni
authors: R
authors: Sharma
authors: Nandita
authors: N
authors: Gupta
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Kaleekal
authors: Kh
authors: Kh
authors: Reeta
authors: Y K
authors: YK
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine