title: Valproate-induced enuresis: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of secondary enuresis in children initiated on valproate treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study conducted in children aged 5 to 12 years with suspected newly diagnosed epilepsy and maintained on valproate for at least 1 month. Adverse events spontaneously reported by parents were recorded at each follow-up visit. In addition, we specifically asked about enuresis and other side effects known to occur with valproate treatment. We assessed the frequency of enuresis and its association with a number of variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two children (43 males and 29 females) with a mean age of 8 years 7 months (range 5-12y) were included in this study. Secondary enuresis developed in 17 (24%) of these children after, on average, 19.8 days of exposure to valproate. The data obtained from a multivariate analysis indicate that age was the only significant factor in predicting the development of enuresis. Enuresis ceased in all children after discontinuation of valproate use, and in 10 out of 11 children still on the drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Secondary enuresis is a common adverse event associated with valproate use in children, which is not usually spontaneously reported and is reversible in most cases.
authors: Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Wissam R
authors: WR
authors: Yamak
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Ghassan
authors: G
authors: Hmaimess
authors: Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Yamane
authors: Y
authors: Makke
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Sabbagh
authors: Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait.
authors: Maher
authors: M
authors: Arabi
authors: Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Beydoun
authors: Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Wassim
authors: W
authors: Nasreddine
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004775:Enuresis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid