Carnitine deficiency in epileptic children treated with a diversity of anti-epileptic regimens

Le résumé fourni par la source

Carnitine deficiency is relatively common in epileptic patients. The risk factors reported include the combination of valproic acid with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), young age, multiple neurologic disabilities, non-ambulatory status, and being underweight. To study the level of carnitine deficiency and its associated risk factors among a group of children with idiopathic epilepsy treated with different AEDs. Fifty children with idiopathic epilepsy and 40 age-matched controls were enrolled. For all, serum carnitine level was measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). The mean carnitine level was lower in cases compared to controls ( p = 0.04). Patients receiving monotherapy treatment had a high percentage of carnitine deficiency compared to controls ( p = 0.04). Patients receiving valproate with other AEDs had a lower level of carnitine compared to controls ( p = 0.03). The age of the patients, the duration of treatment, and the doses of different AEDs were not risk factors for carnitine deficiency. Carnitine deficiency is common in our population, and the use of valproate with other AEDs is considered the most important risk factor for it in epileptic children.

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