Pediatric Neurology
Volume 29, Issue 3 , Pages 253-255, September 2003

Localized morphea: a rare adverse effect of valproic acid

  • George T Ferzli, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
    • ,
  • Abd-el-Kader El-Tal, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
    • ,
  • Abdul-Ghani Kibbi, MD, FACP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
    • ,
  • Mohamad A Mikati, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCommunications should be addressed to: Dr. Mikati; Department of Pediatrics; American University of Beirut; 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza; 8th floor; New York, NY 10017-2303, USA.

Received 5 December 2002; accepted 17 March 2003.

Abstract 

Morphea, a specific type of cutaneous sclerosis, is known in the pediatric age group, but not as an adverse effect to the antiepileptic valproic acid. We report a 14-year-old male patient with absence seizures who, after treatment with valproic acid, developed skin tightness on the fingers. A biopsy specimen revealed dermal sclerosis consistent with morphea. His symptoms resolved gradually after discontinuation of the medication. To our knowledge, this is the first patient reported to have an apparently valproic acid–induced localized morphea.

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PII: S0887-8994(03)00214-5

doi:10.1016/S0887-8994(03)00214-5

Pediatric Neurology
Volume 29, Issue 3 , Pages 253-255, September 2003

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