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Levetiracetam-induced depression in a 5-year-old child with partial epilepsy

Camille Tamarelle1, Florence Pandit, Andréy Mazarati

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France.

Seizure
|October 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Depression is common in children with epilepsy, impacting their quality of life. This case highlights how levetiracetam (LEV) may contribute to depression, emphasizing the need for psychiatric assessment in pediatric epilepsy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Depression is a frequent comorbidity in children and adolescents with epilepsy.
  • It significantly diminishes the quality of life for these patients.
  • Potential contributing factors include neurobiological, social, and iatrogenic elements.

Observation:

  • A case report of a child with partial epilepsy, stemming from neonatal stroke.
  • The patient developed depressive disorder during treatment with levetiracetam (LEV).

Findings:

  • This case suggests iatrogenic factors, specifically levetiracetam (LEV) treatment, may precipitate depressive disorder in epilepsy patients.
  • This contrasts with some data indicating LEV's potential efficacy in affective disorders.

Implications:

  • Iatrogenic causes of depression should be considered in pediatric epilepsy management.
  • Routine psychiatric assessment is crucial for pediatric epilepsy patients due to high comorbidity rates.
  • Understanding the complex interplay between epilepsy and depression is vital for comprehensive patient care.

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