Intravenous Sodium Valproate for Acute Pediatric Headache.

<bold>Background: </bold>Headaches are common in the pediatric population, and increase in prevalence with age. The abortive medications currently used have a number of potential side effects. Sodium valproate (VPA) has been shown to be effective for acute treatment in the adult population, but no data exist in the pediatric population.<bold>Objective: </bold>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VPA for acute pediatric headache in the emergency department.<bold>Methods: </bold>This was a retrospective case series of all patients <19 years of age treated in the pediatric emergency department (PED) at two tertiary care pediatric hospitals and with a final diagnosis of migraine or headache who received parenteral VPA. Data collected included patient demographics, pain reduction, length of stay, and final disposition.<bold>Results: </bold>From July 2010 to February 2014, there were 16 patients who received VPA for acute headache in the PED; 4 were excluded. Eighty-three percent were discharged home. Mean length of stay in the PED before VPA was 395 min, and 120 min after VPA administration. Patients achieved a 17% mean pain score reduction before VPA and approximately an additional 40% mean pain reduction after VPA infusion.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>VPA appears to be an effective agent for acute pediatric headache in this small series. Patients responded well to VPA in a relatively short amount of time. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness in combination with other first-line medications or as a single agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]