Neuropediatrics 2006; 37 - P1130
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-953546

Valproic acid induced hepatopathy – Nine new fatalities in Germany from 1994–2003

S König 1, D Büsing 1, E Longin 1, R Oehring 2, P Häussermann 3, G Kluger 4, F Lindmayer 5, R Hanusch 6, I Degen 7, H Kuhn 8, K Samii 9, A Jungck 10, R Brückner 11, R Seitz 12, W Boxtermann 13, YG Weber 14, R Knapp 15, H Richard 16, B Weidner 17, JM Kasper 18, C Haensch 19, S Fitzek 20, M Hartmann 21, P Borusiak 22, A Müller-Deile 23, V Degenhardt 24, GC Korenke 25, T Hoppen 26, U Specht 27, T Gerstner 1
  • 1Universitätskinderklinik Mannheim, Mannheim
  • 2Klinik für Epileptologie, Bonn
  • 3Technische Universität München, München
  • 4Praxis, Höslwang
  • 5Sozialpädagogisches Wohnheim, Bruchsal
  • 6Vogtland-Klinikum Plauen, Plauen
  • 7Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin St. Elisabeth, Neuwied
  • 8Praxis, Weil/Rhein
  • 9Praxis, Bremen
  • 10Praxis, Sankt Augustin
  • 11Praxis, Wangen/Allgäu
  • 12Praxis, Weimar
  • 13Frühförderzentrum, Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum, Mosbach-Neckarelz
  • 14Poliklinik für Neurologie Ulm, Ulm
  • 15Kinderklinik im Spitzfeld, Neckargemünd
  • 16Evangelische Krankenhaus Bethanien, Iserlohn
  • 17Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, Cottbus
  • 18Wartburg-Klinikum Eisenach, Eisenach
  • 19Helios Klinik Wuppertal, Wuppertal
  • 20Hans Berger Klink Jena, Jena
  • 21Praxis, Heidenheim
  • 22Klinikum Wupertal, SPZ am Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Wuppertal
  • 23Kinderkrankenhauses Auf der Bult, Hannover
  • 24Städtisches Krankenhaus Hildesheim, Hildesheim
  • 25Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg
  • 26Städtisches Klinikum Kemperhof, Koblenz
  • 27Epilepsie-Zentrum Bethel, Bielefeld

Purpose: Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) commonly used for generalized and focal epilepsies. An update of hepatotoxic side effects in Germany between 1994 and 2003 is given.

Methods: We mailed out a questionnaire to all members of the “German Section of the International League against Epilepsy“, asking for VPA-induced side effects, especially severe side effects such as hepatopathy.

Results: As a result of our questionnaire we found 31 cases of reversible hepatotoxicity and 9 cases of lethal hepatopathies in Germany from 1994–2003.

Conclusion: The outcome of patients with severe hepatotoxicity is better than in the past. The risk of a VPA-induced hepatopathy is not limited to patients of an age less than 2 years, polytherapy or patients with congenital or acquired metabolic diseases.