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Comparative Efficacy of Levetiracetam for Epilepsy in School-Aged Children with Intellectual Disability and Normal

Ja Un Moon1,2, Ji Yoon Han1,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea.

Brain Sciences
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an effective anti-seizure medication for children with epilepsy. It shows high efficacy and tolerability in both children with intellectual disability and normal intelligence, making it a safe treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epilepsy Management
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Optimal anti-seizure medication (ASM) selection is critical for school-aged children with epilepsy, particularly those with intellectual disability (ID).
  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is a broad-spectrum ASM recognized for its efficacy, safety, and tolerability in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Levetiracetam (LEV) in pediatric patients with epilepsy.
  • To compare LEV's outcomes in children with intellectual disability (ID) versus normal intelligence (NI).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 298 pediatric epilepsy patients treated with LEV.
  • Inclusion criteria: patients with normal intelligence (NI) (n=147) and intellectual disability (ID) (n=151).
  • Data collected on seizure reduction, tolerability, and retention rates at 6 months and 2 years.

Main Results:

  • After 6 months, significant seizure reduction (>50%) was observed in 96% of NI and 83% of ID subjects (p=0.031).
  • High retention rates at 2 years were noted for both groups (NI: 76%, ID: 74%; p=0.597).
  • LEV demonstrated good tolerability with minor side effects (<15%) in both cohorts.

Conclusions:

  • Levetiracetam (LEV) is an effective and safe ASM for pediatric epilepsy, including children with intellectual disability.
  • LEV offers considerable efficacy, minimal side effects, and high retention rates, presenting a viable treatment option.
  • Further well-designed research is recommended to fully elucidate LEV's efficacy and safety profile in pediatric epilepsy with ID.

Keywords:
adverse reactionanti-seizure medicationschildrenefficacyepilepsyintellectual disabilitylevetiracetammonotherapypolytherapyretention rate

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