The platelet aggregation in children with epilepsy receiving valproic acid.

This study was performed to evaluate the aggregation changes in the whole blood samples of children with epilepsy receiving valproic acid. A total of 25 patients and 15 healthy volunteer adults were included in the study. Platelet aggregation study was performed in whole blood by impedance aggregometry. Platelet counts, the bleeding times, and clotting times of the patients were within normal limits. The aggregation time and maximum aggregation values revealed no significant difference except for those with 2 mu g/ml collagen (p < 0.01) between the two groups. Serum valproic acid levels of the children did not correlate with the maximum aggregation values induced by different concentrations of aggregating agents except for 20 mu M ADP (r = -0.430, p < 0.05). We concluded that the use of valproic acid does not result in thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction within therapeutic limits and the drug is reliable in the management of epilepsy.