Serum free carnitine levels in epileptic children on valproic acid

This study was carried out in a multipupose-based design to evaluate serum-free carnitine (SFC) levels in epileptic children. In a three-stage model, we sought to determine (a) SFC levels in epileptic patients receiving Valproic acid (WA) or other antiepileptic drugs for at least sir months, (b) on a longitudinal basis, WA-induced alterations in SFC levels in new cases given VPA therapy, and (c) whether decreased SFC levels were associated with detoriation in myocardial and respiratory functions and whether and to what extent use of L-carnitine supplementation would be justified to counter the presumable myocardial dysfunction. For determining SFC levels, all the samples were studied using enzymatic-calorimetric method Mean SFC level in each study group (monotherapy with VPA, polytherapy with VPA, and other antiepileptic group) showed significant depressed level from that of the control group (p<0.05). However, differences between patient groups were not significant. In the longitudinal study group, SFC levels exhibited a continual decrease by Day 45 where they reached a steady level. In the third stage of study, pre and posttreatment with L-carnitine, myocardial and respiratory functions did not exhibit significant difference (p> 0.05), except for significantly increased posttreatment vital capacity (VC) (p< 0.05). Bat pretreatment VC levels were not lower than normal. In conclusion, patients presenting with decreased SFC levels following prolonged administration of WA or other antiepileptic drugs are not likely to experience some significant clinical problems as to merit L-carnitine supplementation.