Valproate-induced enuresis: a prospective study

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of secondary enuresis in children initiated on valproate treatment.

Method This was a prospective study conducted in children aged 5 to 12 years with suspected newly diagnosed epilepsy and maintained on valproate for at least 1 month. Adverse events spontaneously reported by parents were recorded at each follow-up visit. In addition, we specifically asked about enuresis and other side effects known to occur with valproate treatment. We assessed the frequency of enuresis and its association with a number of variables.

Results Seventy-two children (43 males and 29 females) with a mean age of 8 years 7 months (range 5–12y) were included in this study. Secondary enuresis developed in 17 (24%) of these children after, on average, 19.8 days of exposure to valproate. The data obtained from a multivariate analysis indicate that age was the only significant factor in predicting the development of enuresis. Enuresis ceased in all children after discontinuation of valproate use, and in 10 out of 11 children still on the drug.

Interpretation Secondary enuresis is a common adverse event associated with valproate use in children, which is not usually spontaneously reported and is reversible in most cases.