Effects of long-term valproic acid treatment on hematological and biochemical parameters in adolescent psychiatric inpatients: a retrospective naturalistic study

Effects of long-term valproic acid treatment on hematological and biochemical parameters in adolescent psychiatric inpatients: a retrospective naturalistic study

The objective of this study was to determine the long-term hematological and biochemical side effects of valproic acid (VPA) in psychiatric adolescent inpatients. A retrospective naturalistic study design was used. Participants were psychiatric inpatients treated with VPA, alone or in combination wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International clinical psychopharmacology Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 241 - 248
Main Authors: Amitai, Maya, Sachs, Ephi, Zivony, Amir, Remez, Roei, Ben Baruch, Reut, Amit, Ben H, Kronenberg, Sefi, Apter, Alan, Shoval, Gal, Weizman, Abraham, Zalsman, Gil
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-09-2015
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - drug effects
Child
Female
Humans
Inpatients
Male
Mental Disorders - blood
Mental Disorders - drug therapy
Platelet Count
Retrospective Studies
Thyrotropin - blood
Triglycerides - blood
Valproic Acid - administration & dosage
Valproic Acid - adverse effects
Valproic Acid - blood
Valproic Acid - therapeutic use
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Summary:The objective of this study was to determine the long-term hematological and biochemical side effects of valproic acid (VPA) in psychiatric adolescent inpatients. A retrospective naturalistic study design was used. Participants were psychiatric inpatients treated with VPA, alone or in combination with other medications. Electronic medical files were reviewed for changes in hematological and biochemical parameters following a course of VPA treatment. One hundred and four adolescents aged 12–18 (mean 15.76±1.58) years fulfilled the study criteria. The mean blood level and duration of VPA treatment were 65.81±22.18 mcg/ml and 98.57±135.94 days, respectively. The mean levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones and triglyceride levels increased significantly from the first to the last measurement. Platelet count decreased significantly following VPA treatment. No correlation was observed between these parameters and age, duration of treatment, or VPA levels. No serious adverse events were reported. Long-term VPA treatment in adolescents with psychiatric disorders is associated with significant increases in triglyceride levels. Moreover, VPA-treated adolescent psychiatric inpatients may be at risk of developing pituitary–thyroid axis dysregulation and decreased platelet count. Therefore, baseline measurement of thyroid functions and metabolic and hematological parameters and monitoring throughout the treatment are recommended.
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ISSN:0268-1315
1473-5857
DOI:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000084