Key investigations

Key investigations for sodium valproate poisoning are:

• serum valproate concentration—measure every 6 hours in patients with altered conscious state until the concentration returns to normal (see also Toxic concentration)
• serum electrolyte, urea and creatinine concentrations
• serum calcium concentration
• blood gas analysis
• blood lactate concentration
• blood glucose concentration
• full blood count
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• blood ammonia concentration.