PDF icon Download PDF
Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy 2018; 07(04): 136-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648242
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Is It Necessary to Measure Thyroid Hormone Levels in Children Receiving Antiepileptic Drugs?

Reem A. Abdel Aziz
1   Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minya, Egypt
,
Mostafa A. Abu ELela
2   Department of Clinical-Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minya, Egypt
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 February 2018

26 March 2018

Publication Date:
07 May 2018 (online)

Also available ateRef
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Purpose This article evaluates the effect of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on thyroid function tests in children with epilepsy.

Methodology One hundred twenty children were studied, with 40 patients taking older generation AEDs Na valproate (N = 20) and carbamazepine (N = 20), 40 patients taking newer generation AEDs levetiracetam (N = 20) and oxcarbazepine (N = 20), and 40 healthy children as controls. Serum T3, T4, FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured.

Results Patients taking Na valproate had lower T3, T4, and a higher TSH level than controls. Patients taking carbamazepine had the lowest T3, T4, and FT4 serum levels among patients receiving AEDs.

Conclusion The thyroid function tests were affected by the use of Na valproate and carbamazepine compared to both the control group and the group taking newer AEDs oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam. In addition, there was no effect of levetiracetam on thyroid function test results.

Keywords

epilepsy - antiepileptic drugs - thyroid function

Authors' Contributions

R.A. and M.A. conceived and designed the study, coordinated the implementation, helped to perform the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript. Both of them participated in the analysis and interpretation of data and revised the statistics and final draft of the manuscript. M.A. was responsible for interpretation of laboratory data of patients and revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Ethics Approval

The goal and methodology of the study were described to all patients' parents after approval of hospital ethics committee (Minia University Hospital, Egypt). Both verbal and written consents were taken from the parents in the study. The potential benefits and inconveniences of all aspects of the study were clearly stated to the parents.