Hypertensive Urgency in a Child with Focal Epilepsy: Is It Sodium Valproate Induced?
May 2022
in “
Indian Journal of Pharmacology
”
Studysummary This case report highlights a rare instance of valproate-induced hypertensive urgency in a 2-year-old girl, with improvement after stopping the medication. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A 2-year-old girl with focal epilepsy on sodium valproate therapy presented with hypertensive urgency, thrombocytopenia, mild transaminitis, and hyperammonemia. Common causes of hypertension were ruled out, and valproate toxicity was suspected. After discontinuing valproate and starting enalapril and levetiracetam, her symptoms improved, and her laboratory parameters normalized within a month. This case highlights the rare but serious side effect of hypertensive urgency associated with sodium valproate, emphasizing the need for clinicians to monitor and manage potential adverse effects promptly.
