Sodium valproate and thrombocytopenia.

Abstract

Sodium valproate and thrombocytopeniaPublished reports on the value of sodium valproate (Epilim) as an anticonvulsant drug have been encouraging.'Acquired platelet function defects ofdoubtful significance have been found and attributed to this drug,2 and there have been two reports of haemorrhages, prolonged bleeding times, and thrombocytopenia in patients on sodium valproate with other anticonvulsant drugs.3 4 The patient we report here developed thrombocytopenia when taking sodium valproate alone, and the investigations are recorded. Case reportA 6-year-old boy weighing 20 kg had been having major and minor seizures for two years and had failed to respond to other anticonvulsant drugs.On treatment with sodium valproate 400 mg four times a day, all other drugs having been stopped, he was rendered fit-free for eight months.His mother then reported that he had developed hair loss and multiple spon- taneous bruises.The bleeding time was prolonged and the platelet count was 15 x 109/1, but other tests of coagulation were normal.Sodium valproate was immediately discontinued.The serum level at this time was very high