ISSN : 2146-3123
E-ISSN : 2146-3131

Evaluation of Serum Ghrelin and Neuropeptide Y Levels in Epileptic Children Under Valproate Treatment
Ahmet Güzel 1, Serap Karasalihoğlu 1, Esra Sayar 1, Yasemin Küçükuğurluoğlu 1, Hakan Kunduracılar 2
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne
2Departments of Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne
Pages : 18-23

Abstract

Objectives: Weight gain and obesity are also among the side effects of long-term valproate treatment, whose etiology remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between weight gain, serum neuropeptide Y and ghrelin levels in children taking valproate treatment.

Patients and Methods: Our study included 25 epileptic children (14 males, 11 females; mean age 7.7±3.8 years; range 4 to 12 years) who were taking only valproate monotherapy at the outpatient clinics. All study participants were analyzed in terms of body mass index, serum neuropeptide Y and ghrelin levels before treatment and after a follow-up period of one year.

Results: At the end of follow-up, the mean body mass index measurements increased, whereas the mean serum neuropeptide Y and ghrelin levels decreased; twelve patients (48%) gained obesity.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated low serum ghrelin and neuropeptide Y levels in children receiving valproate treatment. New studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to evaluate the mechanism of weight gain due to valproate treatment in this population.

Keywords : Valproate; ghrelin; neuropeptide Y; children; obesity; weight gain

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