Valproate-Induced Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy Causing New-Onset Seizures.

Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE) is a rare and severe side effect that can occur with valproic acid (VPA) therapy, despite therapeutic doses and normal serum levels of valproate. The typical signs of this condition include a sudden onset of impaired consciousness, focal neurologic symptoms, and an increase in seizure frequency. The exact cause of VHE is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the accumulation of toxic VPA metabolites and increased levels of ammonia that can cause swelling of the astrocytes and cerebral edema. We present a case of a 19-year-old male patient with a history of bipolar disorder on valproic acid 250 mg daily, admitted to the hospital after a new-onset seizure. He was found to have elevated levels of ammonia in his blood, despite having therapeutic levels of valproate and no liver dysfunction. His symptoms improved with discontinuation of the medication and his ammonia levels decreased. We discuss possible mechanisms and risk factors leading to encephalopathy while on valproate therapy. VHE should be considered a possibility when patients treated with valproate show signs of impaired consciousness.

The Role and Efficacy of Vitamin C in Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Clinical rationale for study: Despite advancements in critical care, the mortality rate of sepsis remains high, with an overall poor prognosis. There is a complex pathophysiology of a lethal cascade of cytokines and inflammatory proteins underlying sepsis. The use of vitamin C can theoretically suppress the inflammatory cascade but remains a questionable practice due to a lack of conclusive evidence. Aims of the study: To appraise the therapeutic role of vitamin C in sepsis. Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and the Central Cochrane Registry. The study included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with vitamin C as an intervention arm in the septic patient population. For continuous variables, the difference in means (MD) and for discrete variables, the odds ratio (OR) was used. For effect sizes, a confidence interval of 95% was used. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance. The analysis was performed using a random-effects model irrespective of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results: 23 studies were included with the total sample size of 2712 patients. In patients treated with vitamin C, there was a statistically significant reduction in the mortality: OR = 0.778 (0.635 to 0.954), p = 0.016; the sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA): MD = −0.749 (−1.115 to −0.383), p < 0.001; and the duration of vasopressor requirement: MD = −1.034 days (−1.622 to −0.445), p = 0.001. No significant difference was found in the hospital or ICU length of stay. Conclusions and clinical implications: Vitamin C treatment regimens were associated with reduced mortality, SOFA score, and vasopressor requirement compared to the control in sepsis. Given its low cost and minimal adverse effects, we strongly encourage further large, randomized trials to establish vitamin C as a standard of care in sepsis management.