Factors Related to Weight Changes in Epileptic Children Treated with Vigabatrin

Bae, Sang Nam; Choi, Bong Seok; Nam, Sang Ook; Park, Hee Ju

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate factors related to weight changes in children treated with vigabatrin(VGB).
METHODS
We have analyzed mean weight standard deviation scores(SDS) retrospectively and interviewed 35 childhood epileptic patients attending Pusan National University Hospital on VGB monotherapy followed over 36 months. Putative risk factors including sex, age, duration of VGB administration, mean weight SDS score at diagnosis, dose of VGB administration, seizure type (generalized or partial), and etiology(idipathic or symptomatic) were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Thirty five children(21 boys, 14 girls) were treated with VGB monotherapy. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 3.21 +/- 4.13 years, and the mean weight SDS at diagnosis was -0.19 +/- 1.09. After the administration of VGB, the mean weight SDS was significantly increased (P<0.05). Increase in the mean weight SDS was significant in children with negative mean weight SDS at diagnosis, idiopathic epilepsy, partial seizure, and also significant in children below 6 years old. Mean weight SDS was not correlated with the dose of VGB administration after VGB monotherapy(P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
VGB monotherapy significantly affects weight gain of patients treated for epilepsy. Strategies, such as optimizing diet and establishing an exercise routine, should be devised to help patients avoid weight gain when starting on VGB. It may be prudent to avoid, where possible, combinations of VGB with other antiepileptic drugs(such as valproate, carbamazepine gabapentin) which can lead to weight gain.