Pediatric partial and generalized seizures

Eight new anticonvulsant medications have been approved in the United States since 1993, offering physicians a greater range of options for treating children with partial and generalized seizures. However, pediatric neurologists have been faced with limited pediatric pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information. This article reviews the newer antiepilepsy drugs-gabapentin, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and zonisamide-and summarizes what is currently known about the safety and efficacy of these drugs in treating partial and generalized seizures in the pediatric population. Further studies are needed, however, to thoroughly evaluate their efficacy and safety in children.