Effect of anti-epileptic drugs on serum level of IgG subclasses.
OBJECTIVE
There are some controversial studies on effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) on serum IgG subclasses; however, the role of these medications is still unclear. The aim of this study was evaluation the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on serum concentration of IgG and its subclasses


METHODS
Serum IgG and IgG subclasses of 61 newly diagnosed epileptic patients were measured at the beginning of monotherapy with carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and phenobarbital, and 6 months later. Measurement of IgG and its subclasses was performed using nephlometry and ELISA techniques, respectively.


RESULTS
Reduction of at least one IgG subclass was found in 6 patients 6 months after treatment with AEDs. Among 27 patients receiving carbamazepine, decrease in at least one serum IgG subclass level was found in 5 patients. Among 20 patients using sodium valproate, only one patient showed decrease in IgG2 subclass. None of the 14 patients using phenobarbital revealed significant decrease in IgG subclasses. No infection was seen in the patients with reduction of subclasses.


CONCLUSIONS
Although in our study, children with selective IgG subclass deficiency were asymptomatic, assessment of serum immunoglobulin levels could be recommended at starting the administration of AEDs and in serial intervals afterward in epileptic patients.
Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mahmoud-Reza
MR
Ashrafi
Seyed-Ahmad
SA
Hosseini
Mohammad
M
Biglari
Sarah
S
Abolmaali
Reza
R
Azizi Malamiri
Hoda
H
Mombeini
Zahra
Z
Pourpak
Narges
N
Saladjegheh
Nima
N
Rezaei
Azam
A
Samadian
Asghar
A
Aghamohammadi