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Response to carbamazepine in children with newly diagnosed partial onset epilepsy

Katherine D Holland1, Tracy A Glauser

  • 1Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. Katherine.holland@cchmc.org

Neurology
|August 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Carbamazepine (CBZ) effectively treats localization-related epilepsy in children, with most responding at specific doses. Consider alternative treatments if seizures persist at higher CBZ doses.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Localization-related epilepsy is common in children.
  • Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a widely used antiepileptic drug.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the effectiveness of carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy.
  • To establish therapeutic dosage ranges for CBZ in pediatric patients with partial epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 100 children with partial epilepsy received initial CBZ monotherapy.
  • Doses associated with 1-year seizure freedom were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 55% of children achieved seizure freedom with CBZ monotherapy.
  • Over 95% of younger children (<12 years) responded below 17.5 mg/kg/day, while older children (>12 years) responded below 15 mg/kg/day.
  • 10% discontinued due to hypersensitivity or side effects; 35% continued to have seizures.

Conclusions:

  • CBZ is effective for many children with localization-related epilepsy.
  • Specific dosage guidelines are suggested based on age.
  • Alternative antiepileptic treatments should be considered for children whose seizures persist at CBZ doses of 15-17.5 mg/kg/day without side effects.
Abstract

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