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Current Treatment Options for Early-Onset Pediatric Epileptic Encephalopathies

Rolla Shbarou1

  • 1Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology, American University of Beirut, Cairo Street, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon. rs07@aub.edu.lb.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|September 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Managing early-onset genetic epilepsies requires a comprehensive approach. Treatment involves various anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), combination therapies, and potentially surgery or the ketogenic diet, with careful monitoring essential.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Early-onset genetic epilepsies present significant management challenges.
  • Standard first-line anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) may not suffice for intractable seizures.
  • A range of advanced therapies exist for difficult-to-treat epilepsy syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review various encephalopathies based on age of symptom onset.
  • To summarize diverse treatment options for early-onset genetic epilepsies.
  • To highlight the complexity of managing intractable epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on early-onset genetic epilepsies.
  • Categorization of encephalopathies by age of onset.
  • Summary of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies.

Main Results:

  • First-line AEDs include phenobarbital, phenytoin, and valproic acid.
  • Combination therapies involve drugs like topiramate, clobazam, and the ketogenic diet.
  • Surgical options and vagus nerve stimulation are available for select patients.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management necessitates a personalized treatment plan.
  • Physicians must be aware of drug interactions and monitor patient parameters.
  • A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing outcomes in genetic epilepsy.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anti-epileptic drugsEarly-onset pediatric epileptic encephalopathyGenetic epilepsyKetogenic dietNewer anti-epileptic drugsVagal nerve stimulator

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