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Valproic acid (VPA) was given to 24 epileptic patients who were already being treated with other antiepileptic drugs. A standardized loading dose of VPA was administered, and venous blood was sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. Ammonia (NH3) was higher in patients who, during continuous therapy, complained of drowsiness (7 patients) than in those who were symptom-free (17 patients), although VPA plasma levels were similar in both groups. By measuring VPA-induced changes of blood NH3 content, it may be possible to identify patients at higher risk of obtundation when VPA is given chronically.

In the present study we analyzed breast milk samples from mothers of breast-fed, healthy, term babies with unexplained prolonged jaundice for β-glucuronidase activity. The differences of enzyme activity were not statistically significant in comparison to a control group of nonjaundiced newborns. We conclude that β-glucuronidase is not the only cause of prolonged jaundice in neonates.

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