Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
09:57

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization

Published on: September 20, 2024

3.4K

Behavioral Adverse Effects During Initial Six Weeks of Levetiracetam Therapy in Children with Epilepsy: A Prospective

Saphibanrisa Rea Shabong1, Devendra Mishra2, Monica Juneja1,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College (University of Delhi), 2, BSZ Marg, Delhi, 110002, India.

Indian Pediatrics
|January 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Levetiracetam use in children with epilepsy may lead to behavioral issues, particularly at higher doses. Close monitoring for neurobehavioral effects is recommended for pediatric patients on this anti-seizure medication.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children.
  • Levetiracetam is a widely used anti-seizure medication (ASM).
  • Understanding the behavioral side effects of ASMs in pediatric populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate behavioral adverse effects of levetiracetam in drug-naïve children with epilepsy.
  • To assess these effects whether levetiracetam is used as monotherapy or polytherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study in a pediatric hospital.
  • Enrolled 60 drug-naïve children (4-12 years) with epilepsy initiating levetiracetam.
  • Assessed behavior using SDQ and CBCL at baseline, 14 days, and 6 weeks.

Main Results:

  • No baseline behavioral problems were observed.
  • 11.7% of children showed behavioral problems by 6 weeks.
  • Higher levetiracetam doses (>30 mg/kg/day) correlated significantly with increased behavioral issues.

Conclusions:

  • Close neurobehavioral monitoring is necessary for children with epilepsy on levetiracetam.
  • Particular attention should be paid to those receiving higher dosages.
  • Levetiracetam's behavioral impact warrants careful consideration in pediatric epilepsy management.
Abstract

Keywords:
Adverse effectsAggressionAnti-seizure medicationsHyperactivityOutcome

More Related Videos

Anteromesial Temporal Lobectomy for Medically Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Operative Study11:29

Anteromesial Temporal Lobectomy for Medically Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Operative Study

Published on: August 15, 2025

2.1K
Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy08:26

Behavioral And Physiological Analysis In A Zebrafish Model Of Epilepsy

Published on: October 19, 2021

6.2K

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
779
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
786
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
711
Behavior Therapy01:22

Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
664
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy01:24

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
390
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
38.4K