An Evaluation of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children With Epilepsy Receiving Treatment of Valproic Acid

• Published in: Pediatric neurology 2015-07, Vol.53 (1), p.53-57
• Main Authors: Dereci, Selim, MD, Koca, Tuğba, MD, Akçam, Mustafa, MD, Türkyilmaz, Kemal, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anticonvulsants - adverse effects; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Child; children; epilepsy; Epilepsy - drug therapy; Epilepsy - pathology; Epilepsy - physiopathology; Eye - drug effects; Eye - pathology; Eye - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Neurology; Organ Size; Pediatrics; peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness; Tomography, Optical Coherence; valproic acid; Valproic Acid - adverse effects; Valproic Acid - therapeutic use; Vision Tests
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.02.016

Abstract Aim We investigated the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness with optical coherence tomography in epileptic children receiving valproic acid monotherapy. Materials and methods The study was conducted on children aged 8-16 years who were undergoing valproic acid monotherapy for epilepsy. The study group comprised a total of 40 children who met the inclusion criteria and 40 healthy age- and sex-matched children as a control group. Children with at least a 1-year history of epilepsy and taking 10-40 mg/kg/day treatment were included in the study. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were performed using Cirrus HD optical coherence tomography. All children and parents were informed about the study and informed consent was obtained from the parents of all the participants. Results The study group included 21 girls and 19 boys with a mean age of 10.6 ± 2.3 years. According to the results of optical coherence tomography measurements, the mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 91.6 ± 9.7 in the patient group and 95.5 ± 7.4 μm in the control group ( P