RESUMEN
This study was conducted on 40 epileptic adolescent girls aged from 12-18 years old suffering from idiopathic generalized or partial epilepsy to evaluate the effect of vaiproate [VPA] and carbamazepine [CBZ] on their reproductive function. They were compared with 20 healthy control girls of the same age range. Anthropometric indexes, body mass index [BMI], and transabdominal ultrasonography were evaluated. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone, and insulin were measured. The results showed that VPA-treated girls had more menstrual disturbances, acne, obesity, and polycystic ovaries than CBZ-treated and control groups. No hisutism was found. Serum concentrations of testosterone and insulin were significantly higher in VPA-teated group than in the other two groups. We concluded that VPA might induce hyperandrogenism in epileptic girls. This emphasizes the importance of careful endocrine observation of girls taking VPA for epilepsy