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. 2012 Aug 10:6:239.
doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-6-239.

Anemia secondary to valproic acid therapy in a 13-year-old boy: a case report

Barbara Kaczorowska-Hac  1 , Agnieszka Matheisel, Lucyna Maciejka-Kapuscinska, Jakub Wisniewski, Anna Alska, Elzbieta Adamkiewicz-Drozynska, Anna Balcerska, Iwona Reszczynska
Affiliations

Anemia secondary to valproic acid therapy in a 13-year-old boy: a case report

Barbara Kaczorowska-Hac et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Valproic acid is a commonly used anti-epileptic drug. Hematological toxicities are among the occasionally observed adverse effects of this medication.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 13-year-old Caucasian boy who demonstrated mild anemia 12 months after the introduction of valproic acid therapy. A bone marrow biopsy revealed maturation arrest of proerythroblasts.

Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis and valproic acid discontinuation resulted in the patient's recovery.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Normocellular bone marrow with mild dyserythropoiesis: diminished number of orthochromatic erythroblasts.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Increase in hemoglobin after valproic acid suspension.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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