Hematologic monitoring in children with epilepsy treated with carbamazepine.

One hundred seventy-six children treated with carbamazepine for epilepsy were monitored over a 12-month period to determine the effects of carbamazepine on the hematologic system. There were no significant changes within the total population in the mean hematocrit or platelet count. The white blood cell count and total neutrophil count showed declines at 1, 8, and 12 months, but the differences did not achieve statistical significance. There was no correlation between the hematologic parameters and carbamazepine blood level, age or sex, or the presence of other drugs. Pretreatment leukopenia and neutropenia were present in 2.8% and 4.0% of children, respectively. During carbamazepine therapy, 8.0% and 17.0% of the children developed leukopenia and neutropenia, respectively, and it was persistent in 1.7% and 2.8%, respectively. The changes in the white blood cell count could be attributed to the changes in the total neutrophil count.