Antinuclear antibodies in children with epilepsy treated by carbamazepine
PURPOSE
An increased prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) has been reported among patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ANAs in children with epilepsy who were taking carbamazepine as monotherapy.


METHODS
This was an observational, descriptive study at Motahary outpatient Clinic, Shiraz, Iran. All patients with epilepsy between the ages 3-18 years, taking carbamazepine as monotherapy, were studied and blood samples were obtained for ANA and other tests.


RESULTS
Totally, 58 patients (38 boys and 20 girls) were studied. The mean age of the patients was 11.5+/-2.6 years. The mean duration of carbamazepine therapy before ANA measurement was 14+/-6 months. ANA was positive in only one patient. ANA had a speckled pattern and titer of 1:80 dilution in that patient. It was negative in the remaining patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ANA is not considerable among children with epilepsy treated by carbamazepine. Moreover, this inconsiderable rate of positive ANA seems to have no clinical implications. Therefore, it seems that there is no need to be concerned of this side-effect of carbamazepine in children, unless clinically indicated.