Sodium valproate as a cause of unilateral pitting lower-limb oedema mimicking lymphoedema in a child

Christopher Troedson, Davinder Singh-Grewal
6 July 2016

<p class="p1">This case study deals with a 7-year-old boy who developed unilateral, lower-limb pitting oedema that was determined to be a complication of long-term sodium valproate use. The diagnosis was complicated by the fact that the child had previously resided in an area known to harbour the pathogens causing filariasis and by the fact that other vascular anomalies were present, suggesting a possible underlying segmental primary lymphoedema. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of undertaking a full history and examination of the presenting patient, including his or her current pharmacology, as well as carrying out a wide range of tests to ensure accurate differential diagnoses for lymphoedema. This is the first report of unilateral swelling as an adverse affect of valproic acid therapy. </p>n<p> </p>

Are you a healthcare professional? This website is for healthcare professionals only. To continue, please confirm that you are a healthcare professional below.

We use cookies responsibly to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your browser settings, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website. Read about how we use cookies.

I am not a healthcare professional.