>  She was seen by the neuro-surgeon and he
> wants to put her onto "sodium valproate" which is Epilim in RSA.   He has
> ruled out breastfeeding and she is anxious to carry on

According to Hale, this is the same as valproic acid (or Depakote in the
US).  99-00 Hale says it is transferred into milk in low levels and average
concentrations in human milk range from 0.17 to 0.47 mg/L of milk.  It
continues..."Valproic acid is frequently used in neonates for seizures.  It
is considered compatible with breastfeeding."

The mother would most likely need semi-regular blood lab work to be sure her
valproic acid levels remain at a therapeutic level and that her liver
functions remain normal.

Kathy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kathy Koch, BSEd, IBCLC
Great Mills, MD
mailto:[log in to unmask]
"Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one
determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger
desires."- Marcelene Cox

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