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

International audiencePURPOSE: 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