Background: Seizures constitute one of the most common neurological problems in children. Several studies have documented changes in haematological  parameters in patients treated with  antiepileptic drugs. But most of these studies are on adults and studies in children from India are sparse.

Methods: Eighty  seven children aged 4–13 years, receiving AED monotherapy ( carbamazepine, Phenytoin and valproate) were enrolled and divided in three groups based on the drug given. Hematological  parameters studied were compared with 20age and sex matched controls..

Results:.Compared with controls children taking valproate had statistically significant higher packed cell volume, total leucocyte count and lower platelet count. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher in children taking carbamazepine. No significant difference was observed in Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) between the control subjects and children taking any of the antiepileptic drugs. 

Conclusion: antiepileptic drugs tend to alter haematological parameters and hence may require regular monitoring