<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Valproate (VPA) poisoning is an increasing clinical problem. The most common finding in VPA overdose is the depression of the central nervous system, which may progress to coma and death. This type of poisoning is difficult to treat, as no antidote exists. This report describes a case with a 16-year-old girl who poisoned herself with valproate. Initial treatment included naloxone, but she did not respond. She became comatose, with serum VPA concentration of 1320 μg mL-1. Three sessions of haemodialysis were performed, effectively eliminating VPA and decreasing the serum concentration. The patient regained consciousness and fully recovered.To our knowledge, this is the highest serum VPA concentration reported by now in children aged 16 or less. Haemodialysis has proved to be the treatment of choice for life-threatening acute VPA overdose in children.</abstract>

Valproate (VPA) poisoning is an increasing clinical problem. The most common finding in VPA overdose is the depression of the central nervous system, which may progress to coma and death. This type of poisoning is difficult to treat, as no antidote exists. This report describes a case with a 16-year-old girl who poisoned herself with valproate. Initial treatment included naloxone, but she did not respond. She became comatose, with serum VPA concentration of 1320 μg mL-1. Three sessions of haemodialysis were performed, effectively eliminating VPA and decreasing the serum concentration. The patient regained consciousness and fully recovered.To our knowledge, this is the highest serum VPA concentration reported by now in children aged 16 or less. Haemodialysis has proved to be the treatment of choice for life-threatening acute VPA overdose in children.

Life-threatening Valproate Overdose Successfully Treated with Haemodialysis

Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia

Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neurology, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Life-threatening Valproate Overdose Successfully Treated with Haemodialysis"}

Valproate (VPA) poisoning is an increasing clinical problem. The most common finding in VPA overdose is the depression of the central nervous system, which may...

Life-threatening Valproate Overdose Successfully Treated with Haemodialysis

Published Online: Dec 08, 2008

Page range: 295 - 298

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1884

Keywords
depresori središnjega živčanog sustava, intenzivno liječenje, otrovnost, trombocitopenija

This content is open access.

Life-threatening Valproate Overdose Successfully Treated with Haemodialysis

Published Online: Dec 08, 2008

Page range: 295 - 298

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1884

Keywordsdepresori središnjega živčanog sustava, intenzivno liječenje, otrovnost, trombocitopenija

This content is open access.

Keywords
depresori središnjega živčanog sustava, intenzivno liječenje, otrovnost, trombocitopenija