Body composition and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in children on valproate treatment: a pilot study

Valproate treatment seems to be associated with significant weight gain and related metabolic disorders; however, body composition assessment among epileptic patients has not been frequently reported. We aimed to evaluate valproic acid-associated changes in body composition in pediatric epileptic patients. Twenty eight epileptic children aged from 3-14 years, receiving valproic acid (VPA) therapy for at least 6 months were included in this pilot cross sectional study. A control group was matched in a 1:1 pattern by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Body composition was measured by bioimpedance (BIA). Prediction BIA-equations, Phase Angle (PA) and Bioimpedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) were calculated. We did not find statistically significant differences in body composition determined by BIA equations, PA and BIVA among pediatric epileptic patients treated with VPA and healthy children. Although the results of this study show no statistically significant differences, there was a trend toward higher body fat mass in VPA treated children. Since BIA and BIVA may detect early changes in body compartments, it would be advisable to assess them in pretherapy and monitoring of patients with epilepsy, in order to detect changes before adverse consequences could happen. It would be necessary to increase the sample size in the future.