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l ‐Carnitine Supplementation in Childhood Epilepsy: Current Perspectives
Author(s) -
Vivo Darryl C.,
Bohan Timothy P.,
Coulter David L.,
Dreifuss Fritz E.,
Greenwood Robert S.,
Nordli Douglas R.,
Shields W. Donald,
Stafstrom Carl E.,
Tein Ingrid
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1998.tb01315.x
Subject(s) - carnitine , medicine , hyperammonemia , ketogenic diet , epilepsy , pediatrics , anticonvulsant , psychiatry
Summary: In November 1996, a panel of pediatric neurologists met to update the consensus statement issued in 1989 by a panel of neurologists and metabolic experts on L‐carnitine supplementation in childhood epilepsy. The panelists agreed that intravenous L‐carnitine supplementation is clearly indicated for valproate (VPA)‐induced hepatotoxicity, overdose, and other acute metabolic crises associated with carnitine deficiency. Oral supplementation is clearly indicated for the primary plasmalemmal carnitine transporter defect. The panelists concurred that oral L‐carnitine supplementation is strongly suggested for the following groups as well: patients with certain secondary carnitine‐deficiency syndromes, symptomatic VPA‐associated hyperammonemia, multiple risk factors for VPA hepatotoxicity, or renal‐associated syndromes; infants and young children taking VPA; patients with epilepsy using the ketogenic diet who have hypocarnitinemia; patients receiving dialysis; and premature infants who are receiving total parenteral nutrition. The panel recommended an oral L‐carnitine dosage of 100 mg/kg/day, up to a maximum of 2 g/day. Intravenous supplementation for medical emergency situations usually exceeds this recommended dosage.