Trends in sodium valproate prescriptions among children aged 0 to 14 years between 2010 and 2016: A study based on the French National Health Insurance Database.

PURPOSE:After a huge campaign of information on the teratogenic risk of sodium valproate (VPA) having taken place in France we aimed to evaluate the trend of its prescriptions in young epileptic girls. METHOD:Using the French National Health Insurance Database we searched for patients aged 0-14 years being supplied an antiepileptic drug (AED) between 2010 and 2016. RESULTS:113,362 children received at least one AED, 61,259 boys and 52,103 girls. Compared to 2010-2014 years, VPA was less prescribed in 2016 as first AED (29% vs 37.3% respectively). The difference between the two periods was greater for girls (-41%) than for boys (-12%). CONCLUSION:The changing trend of VPA as first AED prescribed, particularly in girls, reflects published evidence in terms of safety.