Evaluation of serum lipids and carotid artery intima media thickness in epileptic children treated with valproic acid.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the carotid artery intima media thickness and serum lipids in pediatric patients with epilepsy treated with valproic acid. The study included 44 pediatric epileptic and 40 healthy children. Intima media thickness of left common carotid artery and fasting lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were assessed. Although we did not observe any differences regarding serum lipid profiles, intima media thickness of common carotid artery was significantly higher in epileptic patients treated with valproic acid. We suggest that this increase in intima media thickness of common carotid artery may be due to epilepsy and/or valproic acid treatment.