Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the therapeutic response of valproic acid in pediatric epileptic patients

Considerable inter-individual variability in the efficacy of valproic acid (VPA) has been reported, with approximately 20-45% of patients failing to achieve satisfactory seizure control after VPA monotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of non-genetic and genetic factors on 12-month VPA-response in a cohort of 194 pediatric patients.