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Intravenous levetiracetam terminates refractory status epilepticus in two patients with migrating partial seizures in

Maria Roberta Cilio1, Roberto Bianchi, Martina Balestri

  • 1Division of Neurology, Bambino Gesú Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. cilio@opbg.net

Epilepsy Research
|June 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous levetiracetam effectively treated refractory status epilepticus in two infants with migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI). The treatment was well-tolerated, preventing seizure recurrence during follow-up.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI) is a rare, severe epileptic syndrome.
  • Refractory status epilepticus poses a significant treatment challenge in infants.

Observation:

  • Two infants with MPSI and refractory status epilepticus were treated with intravenous levetiracetam.
  • Continuous video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring was used before, during, and after treatment.
  • Comprehensive blood tests were performed to assess safety and tolerability.

Findings:

  • Intravenous levetiracetam successfully terminated status epilepticus in both infants.
  • The treatment prevented recurrent status epilepticus during the follow-up period.
  • No adverse reactions were observed during or after levetiracetam administration.

Implications:

  • Intravenous levetiracetam is a promising therapeutic option for status epilepticus in MPSI.
  • This study highlights the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in a challenging pediatric epilepsy syndrome.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in a larger cohort.
Abstract

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