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Secondary renal Fanconi syndrome caused by valproate therapy

Pediatric Nephrology volume 20, pages 814–817 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Although renal Fanconi syndrome resulting from valproate (VPA) has occasionally been reported, the detailed clinical characteristics of this disease remain unclear. To clarify the clinical features of patients with VPA-induced Fanconi syndrome, we analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of seven affected patients. All patients were children, were severely disabled and required tube feeding. Five patients required treatment with multiple anticonvulsant agents. Hypophosphatemia and hypouricemia were found in all patients. Mild proteinuria, increased excretion of urinary β2-microglobulin (β2MG) and generalized hyperaminoaciduria were present in all patients. The renal biopsy of one patient exhibited tubulointerstitial nephritis without any structural abnormalities of the mitochondria in proximal renal tubular cells. All patients recovered from the Fanconi syndrome after the cessation of VPA therapy without any long-term renal sequellae. These results indicate that young age and being severely disabled with tube feeding and anticonvulsant polytherapy are contributory factors to the development of VPA-induced Fanconi syndrome. Serum phosphate and uric acid concentrations and urinary β2MG levels in addition to serum electrolytes and urinalysis should be examined regularly in patients receiving VPA therapy, especially in those with the contributory factors outlined above. Patients with Fanconi syndrome caused by VPA have a favorable renal outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Niigata City General Hospital, 2-6-1 Shichikuyama, 950-8739, Niigata, Japan

    Toru Watanabe, Sawako Yamazaki, Yuki Abe & Tokinari Abe

  2. Department of Neurology, Miyagi Children’s Hospital, Miyagi, Japan

    Hideto Yoshikawa

Authors
  1. Toru Watanabe
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  2. Hideto Yoshikawa
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  3. Sawako Yamazaki
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  4. Yuki Abe
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  5. Tokinari Abe
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Correspondence to Toru Watanabe.

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Watanabe, T., Yoshikawa, H., Yamazaki, S. et al. Secondary renal Fanconi syndrome caused by valproate therapy. Pediatr Nephrol 20, 814–817 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-005-1827-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-005-1827-7

Keywords

  • Valproic acid
  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis
  • Kidney disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Severe disability
  • Side effect