Controlled Evaluation of Serum Lipid Levels and Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness in Epileptic Children Treated with Valproic Acid, Carbamazepine and Levetiracetam

Abstract

Objective: It is aimed to evaluate the tendency for atherosclerosis in idiopathic epileptic children treated with valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ) and levetiracetam (LEV) by measuring the serum lipid levels and carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) that indirect marker of subintimal lipid deposition. Methods: The study included 54 children with idiopathic epilepsy aged between 6 to 12 years who had been receiving VPA (n=24), CBZ (n=15) or LEV (n=15), and 20 healthy children as a control group. Lipid levels were measured in all patients. IMT measurements were made by the same physician in a similar position in all patients, 2 cm proximal to the left common carotid artery bulb, and compared with the control group. Results: The mean age of the VPA group was 9.13+-1.85 years, CBZ group was 9.21+-2.32 years, LEV group was 9.044+-2.35 years and it was 8.84+-2.13 years in the healthy control group. No significant difference was detected between patients and control group in respect to age and sex distrubution (p>0.05). No significant difference was found in serum lipid values and weight-for-height between patients and control group (p>0.05). No significant difference was detected IMT measurements between controls and patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: No significant change in serum cholesterol values and increase in carotid artery IMT were found in patients receiving VPA, CBZ and LEV. The large-scale prospective studies regarding the necessity of periodically checking lipid levels and carotid artery IMT measurement in children with epilepsy.

Keywords

• valproic acid
• carbamazepine
• levetiracetam
• atherosclerosis
• carotid artery intima media thickness