Fatality from hepatitis A in a child taking valproate. 2000

M Fayad, and R Choueiri, and M Mikati
Department of Pediatrics and Epilepsy Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon. mrfayad@dm.net.lb

We report an 8-year-old boy with complex partial seizures due to congenital stroke, treated with valproate for more than 3 years (the last 2 years were on monotherapy) with no complications during that period except for transient thrombocytopenia. His sister had uncomplicated hepatitis A. One month later, the patient became jaundiced, went into fulminant hepatic failure, and quickly became encephalopathic despite discontinuation of valproate, aggressive supportive therapy, and treatment with carmitine. He then died. He had positive hepatitis A IgM; other causes for acute hepatitis were ruled out. Liver pathology revealed distended hepatocytes with cholestasis and microvesicular changes. We could find in the literature two other articles on four cases who developed liver failure with hepatitis A while on valproate. All those cases, however, recovered. In our patient a usually benign disease became deadly, probably because of the concomitant use of a hepatotoxic medication. Immunizing, with hepatitis A vaccine, all children on valproate therapy who are living in, or traveling to, endemic areas should be considered and is probably advisable.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D006506 Hepatitis A INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the HEPATOVIRUS genus, HUMAN HEPATITIS A VIRUS. It can be transmitted through fecal contamination of food or water. Hepatitis, Infectious,Infectious Hepatitis,Hepatitides, Infectious,Infectious Hepatitides
D006508 Hepatitis Antibodies Immunoglobulins raised by any form of viral hepatitis; some of these antibodies are used to diagnose the specific kind of hepatitis. Antibodies, Hepatitis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208 Acute Disease Disease having a short and relatively severe course. Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000927 Anticonvulsants Drugs used to prevent SEIZURES or reduce their severity. Anticonvulsant,Anticonvulsant Drug,Anticonvulsive Agent,Anticonvulsive Drug,Antiepileptic,Antiepileptic Agent,Antiepileptic Agents,Antiepileptic Drug,Anticonvulsant Drugs,Anticonvulsive Agents,Anticonvulsive Drugs,Antiepileptic Drugs,Antiepileptics,Agent, Anticonvulsive,Agent, Antiepileptic,Agents, Anticonvulsive,Agents, Antiepileptic,Drug, Anticonvulsant,Drug, Anticonvulsive,Drug, Antiepileptic,Drugs, Anticonvulsant,Drugs, Anticonvulsive,Drugs, Antiepileptic
D014635 Valproic Acid A fatty acid with anticonvulsant and anti-manic properties that is used in the treatment of EPILEPSY and BIPOLAR DISORDER. The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID levels in the brain or by altering the properties of VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS. Dipropyl Acetate,Divalproex,Sodium Valproate,2-Propylpentanoic Acid,Calcium Valproate,Convulsofin,Depakene,Depakine,Depakote,Divalproex Sodium,Ergenyl,Magnesium Valproate,Propylisopropylacetic Acid,Semisodium Valproate,Valproate,Valproate Calcium,Valproate Sodium,Valproic Acid, Sodium Salt (2:1),Vupral,2 Propylpentanoic Acid
D017029 Epilepsy, Complex Partial A disorder characterized by recurrent partial seizures marked by impairment of cognition. During the seizure the individual may experience a wide variety of psychic phenomenon including formed hallucinations, illusions, deja vu, intense emotional feelings, confusion, and spatial disorientation. Focal motor activity, sensory alterations and AUTOMATISM may also occur. Complex partial seizures often originate from foci in one or both temporal lobes. The etiology may be idiopathic (cryptogenic partial complex epilepsy) or occur as a secondary manifestation of a focal cortical lesion (symptomatic partial complex epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp317-8) Complex Partial Epilepsy,Complex Partial Seizure Disorder,Cryptogenic Partial Complex Epilepsy,Disorder, Complex Partial Seizures,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic, Partial Complex,Epilepsy, Psychic Equivalent,Epilepsy, Psychomotor,Epilepsy, Symptomatic, Partial Complex,Partial Complex Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Partial Complex Epilepsy, Symptomatic,Seizure Disorder, Complex Partial,Symptomatic Partial Complex Epilepsy,Partial Epilepsy, Complex,Psychic Equivalent Epilepsy,Psychomotor Epilepsy
D017809 Fatal Outcome Death resulting from the presence of a disease in an individual, as shown by a single case report or a limited number of patients. This should be differentiated from DEATH, the physiological cessation of life and from MORTALITY, an epidemiological or statistical concept. Fatal Outcomes,Outcome, Fatal,Outcomes, Fatal

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