Open AccessMitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes unveiled by valproate
Author(s) -
Neera Chaudhry,
Yogesh Patidar,
Vinita Puri
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of pediatric neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.247
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1998-3948
pISSN - 1817-1745
DOI - 10.4103/1817-1745.117847
Subject(s) - lactic acidosis , mitochondrial myopathy , medicine , valproic acid , encephalopathy , acidosis , myopathy , stroke (engine) , gastroenterology , anesthesia , pharmacology , epilepsy , biochemistry , mitochondrial dna , psychiatry , biology , gene , mechanical engineering , engineering
Valproic acid (VPA) is widely used as an anti-epileptic drug. The primary mechanism of VPA toxicity is interference with mitochondrial beta-oxidation, and it can exacerbate an underlying mitochondrial cytopathy. We report a case of Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes unmasked by use of Sodium Valproate in a 12-year-old boy who presented with headache and seizures. There was precipitation of encephalopathy, myopathy, lactic acidosis, and hepatic damage within two days of valproate use, after withdrawing of which there was a remarkable clinical and biochemical recovery.