Anemia secondary to the use of sodium valproate for preventing postoperative seizures in a 79-year-old man: A case report

RATIONALE: Sodium valproate is a widely used antiepileptic drug and also used to prevent postoperative seizures in neurosurgery. Anemia caused by sodium valproate is occasionally reported and most are from pediatric patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present the case of a 79-year-old man who developed anemia in the setting of a short-term sodium valproate therapy for the prevention of postoperative seizures. DIAGNOSIS: By testing complete blood count we found anemia and hepatic enzyme elevations arising after 3-week standard dose sodium valproate therapy for preventing postoperative seizures. Our investigations ruled out most of the known causes of anemia including infection, uncontrolled bleeding, underlying systemic disease, malnutrition, immune hemolytic anemia, and neoplasia. On the drug's discontinuation as diagnostic therapy the patient's hemoglobin began to rise spontaneously and liver function returned to normal. Thus anemia secondary to sodium valproate was considered as the most likely diagnosis. Interventions: Sodium valproate was suspended and the patient was transfused with concentrated red blood cells. OUTCOMES: The hemoglobin recovered obviously on the drug's discontinuation. LESSONS: Hematologic toxicity of sodium valproate can occur quickly. Regular complete blood count test helps to make prompt diagnosis and drug discontinuation leads to the recovery.