The Study of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Children With Epilepsy on Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Objectives . To evaluate carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and lipid profile in children with epilepsy on long-term antiepileptic drug (AED) monotherapy. Methods . We included 60 children with epilepsy receiving valproate, carbamazepine, or levetiracetam monotherapy and 60 controls. A high-resolution B-mode ultrasound was used to measure (CIMT). Measurement of serum lipids was done. Results . Patients on valproate (0.44 ± 0.03, P ≤ .001), carbamazepine (0.43 ± 0.03with P ≤ .001), and levetiracetam (0.44 ± 0.02 with P ≤ .001) monotherapy showed significantly higher CIMT compared to controls. CIMT was correlated with age ( P = .041, r = .112) AEDs{valproate ( P = .005, r = .731), carbamazepine ( P = .038, r = .365), and levetiracetam ( P = .036, r = .155)}, duration of treatment ( P = .001, r = .313), TC( P = .001, r = .192), TG ( P = .014, r = .018), and LDL ( P = .001, r = .219). HDL ( P = .003, r = −.126). Seizure severity and Apo A1 were insignificantly involved. Conclusion . Long-term monotherapy with valproate, carbamazepine, and levetiracetam in epileptic children was associated with significant abnormalities in CIMT.