OBJECTIVE: Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant frequently used in the management of childhood refractory epilepsy with good clinical responses and acceptable toxicity. The objective of this case report is to describe side effects associated with long-term valproate therapy in a child and to warn about the importance of monitoring patients in chronic use of anticonvulsants. CASE DESCRIPTION: This male child, four years and eight months old, with West syndrome, had been using sodium valproate since six months of age. The patient was admitted with anemia, macrocytosis, thrombocytopenia, deficiency of vitamin B12, hypoalbuminemia and hyponatremia. The clinical signs were associated to chronic sodium valproate use. COMMENTS: Sodium valproate hematologic toxicity is frequent, varying in onset and severity. The most common findings are thrombocytopenia and macrocytosis. In addition to the hematological toxicity, literature reports other side effects associated with valproic acid therapy. It is important to know and to monitor adverse effects in patients undergoing sodium valproate therapy in order to detect and treat them as early as possible.
valproic acid; seizure; child
