Cognitive evaluation before and after the use of valproate in childhood epilepsy

Aim: To make a cognitive assessment by comparing with a healthy control group before and during the use of valproic acid in childhood epilepsy. Materials and Methods: The case and control group consisted of children aged 3-14 years. The case group was children with newly diagnosed epilepsy whose treatment was planned to start VPA as monotherapy. The case group was evaluated cognitively by using intelligence, development and coordination tests just before the start of drug therapy. While the treatment processes were continuing, evaluation was made using the same tests again approximately 6 months later. The same tests were applied to the control group, healthy children of similar age range, once. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: When the mean values of the pre-treatment and post-treatment groups were compared, it was determined that the treatment provided an increase in the Stanford Binet Intelligence Test score. This difference was found significant (p<0.01). It was observed that there was a significant difference between the pre-treatment group and the post-treatment group in the total improvement scores of AGTE (p<0.1). There was no significant difference between the pretreatment-treatment and control (p>0.5) groups for DCDQ. Significant results were found between the case group and the healthy control group (p<0.01) in the Stanford Binet Intelligence test, and the healthy control group was found to be different from the others (p<0.01). The overall results of the AGTE test were also observed to differ significantly from the pre-treatment group only in the healthy control group (p<0.5). Conclusion: In our patients whose active seizures stopped while taking antiepileptic drug treatment, the increase in intelligence and cognitive development scores, and data approaching the healthy control group, were significantly detected. AEDs used provide seizure control; however, it also contributes to the positive progress of neurocognitive and motor skills. Examination of this mechanism in more detailed and larger series; It is important for the integrity of children's physical and mental health and will contribute to their quality of life. Key Words: Epilepsy in children, valproic acid, cognitive assessment, intelligence, development.