Effect of Eradication on Serum Level of Valproic Acid in Children with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of eradication on the serum level of the orally administered valproic acid (VPA) in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy; Methods: This prospective cohort observational study included 100 children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, recruited from a neurology clinic from May 2021 to December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups, each containing 50 children. The first group had a positive stool antigen and -related symptoms, while the second group had a negative antigen. Eradication therapy was given to the positive group. The serum level of VPA was obtained at baseline and 4 weeks after eradication therapy.

RESULTS

Despite there being no significant difference between the -positive and -negative groups regarding the baseline VPA serum level (79.9 ± 13.9 and 77.9 ± 13.1 mcg/mL), respectively, the serum VPA level had significantly increased after eradication therapy (99.4 ± 11 mcg/mL) ( value = 0.000), as opposed to the -negative group (85.3 ± 10.9 mcg/mL) ( value = 0.142). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association with a negative correlation between the VPA serum level after eradication and the number of epileptic attacks per month ( value = 0.033, R value = -0.301) and the dose of VPA ( value = 0.046, R value = -0.284).

CONCLUSIONS

The eradication of resulted in a highly significant improvement in the serum level of the orally given VPA in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, as well as an indirect decrease in the frequency of epileptic events per month, allowing for dose reduction. Eradication therapy may have anticonvulsant properties and might indirectly aid in the management of epileptic activity. screening for children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy can optimize serum VPA levels, potentially leading to better seizure control. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature to describe the effect of eradication on the serum level of the orally administered VPA in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.