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Short-term effect of levetiracetam monotherapy on haematological parameters in children with epilepsy: a prospective

Argiris Dinopoulos1, Achilleas Attilakos1, Maria Paschalidou1

  • 1Third Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Epilepsy Research
|March 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy in children with epilepsy may significantly decrease lymphocyte counts after six months of treatment. Further research is needed to understand LEV

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Limited studies exist on levetiracetam's (LEV) effects on hematological parameters in epilepsy patients.
  • Clinical trials noted increased pharyngitis and rhinitis in LEV-treated individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate changes in hematological parameters in children with epilepsy undergoing LEV monotherapy.
  • To assess the impact of LEV on white blood cell counts, differential counts, and platelet levels.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 22 children (13 female, mean age 6.70±4.23 years) with epilepsy.
  • Hematological parameters (WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, platelets) measured at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months.
  • Levetiracetam monotherapy was administered.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in lymphocyte count was observed at 6 months of LEV treatment (p=0.019), independent of dosage.
  • At 6 months, 18% of children had lymphocyte counts below the 10th percentile for their age.
  • No significant alterations were found in other evaluated hematological parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam monotherapy can significantly reduce lymphocyte counts in children with epilepsy by six months.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate LEV's hematological effects and potential links to increased infection incidence.

Keywords:
ChildrenEpilepsyHaematological parametersLevetiracetamLymphocytes

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