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Levetiracetam in refractory pediatric epilepsy
1Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston, 77030, USA. James.W.Wheless@uth.tmc.edu
Journal of Child Neurology
|August 15, 2002
Summary
Levetiracetam shows promise as an add-on therapy for refractory epilepsy in children. This study found it effective in reducing seizure frequency, with some patients experiencing cognitive benefits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Levetiracetam is a newer-generation antiepilepsy drug with a favorable safety profile in adults.
- It is not currently approved for pediatric use but may benefit children with refractory epilepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam as add-on therapy in children with refractory epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study involving 39 pediatric patients (mean age 8.6 years) treated with levetiracetam for up to 9 months.
- Data collected included seizure frequency, drug dosages, adverse events, and neurological examinations.
Main Results:
- Levetiracetam effectively reduced seizure frequency across various types, particularly partial-onset seizures.
- Ten patients reported improvements in cognition or behavior; 14 were discontinued due to lack of efficacy or adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Levetiracetam appears generally effective and well-tolerated in children with refractory epilepsy.
- Positive effects on cognition warrant further investigation in larger, controlled studies.