Background:
Antiepileptic drugs (AED) adverse effects are frequently encountered, careful
monitoring for evaluation of adverse effects during AED administration should
done as a routine in epilepsy practice. Objective: To determine the changes in
thyroid function tests in male children who were under antiepileptic therapy. Methods: This
study was carried out in cohort fashion on 42 male children with new onset
epilepsy who had not been previously treated with antiepileptic medication.
Plasma level of TSH, T3 FT3, T4 & FT4 hormones were measured and compared
at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results: A total of 42 patients were
studied over a period of 6 months. These patients divided into three groups, 15
patients treated with carbamazepine, 15 patients treated with sodium valproate
and 12 patients treated with
phenobarbital. The results of our study suggested that the increase in
the plasma level of TSH was significant only in the sodium valproate group the
plasma level of T3 significantly decrease 3 and 6 months after treatment in the
Phenobarbital group while the plasma level of FT3 significantly decreased only
in the sodium valproate group. The decrease in T4 plasma level was significant
in all groups (Carbamazepine, sodium valproate and Phenobarbital group) 3 and 6
months after the onset of treatment but the decreasing in FT4 plasma level was
only significant in the carbamazepine group 6 months after onset of treatment. Conclusion:
Phenobarbital had the least effect on thyroid hormones considering the effect
such medications on thyroid function test, it necessary to check & test the
plasma levels of thyroid hormones periodically after beginning the treatment. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat
Neurosurg. 2012; 49(1): 23-26]
Key Words:
Antiepileptic drugs, Epileptic Children, Thyroid Function.
Correspondence to Yasser Wasel, Neurology
Department, Mansoura University, 35516 El-Jomhoria St., Mansoura, Egypt.
Tel.: +20102088815 E-mail: Yasser_wassel@yahoo.com