A case of acute pancreatitis developing due to use of valproic acid

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is a serious clinical picture rarely seen in children. The most common causes are drugs, blunt trauma, anatomic abnormalities and biliary pathologies. Acute pancreatitis should be considered in patients presenting with severe abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, abdominal distention and fever. In this article a child in whom acute pancreatitis developed due to the use of valproic acid is presented and discussed. An 11-year-old boy was admitted because of abdominal pain and bilious vomitting. He was under valproic acid treatment with a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 24 months for epilepsy. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was established under the results of physical examination and laboratory investigations. Complaints of the patient gradually decreased with supportive treatment and the cessation of valproic acid, and a complete healing was achieved in a week. Acute pancreatitis due to valproic acid has been rarely reported in the literature. In acute pancreatitis developing due to the use of valproic acid, early diagnosis with prompt discontinuation of the drug and symptomatic supportive treatment are sufficient.