Weight Changes in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy and Overweight/Obesity Treated with Zonisamide

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Epilepsy in children is often associated with weight gain and obesity.
• Certain anti-epileptic drugs can exacerbate weight issues.
• Zonisamide is an anti-epileptic drug with potential effects on body mass.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of zonisamide initiation on weight status in pediatric patients with epilepsy and elevated body mass index (BMI).
• To assess changes in BMI z-scores over a two-year period following zonisamide treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 140 children (aged 2 to 18 years) with epilepsy treated with zonisamide.
• Analysis of BMI changes and BMI z-scores at baseline and up to two years post-initiation.
• Stratification of participants by initial BMI category and age group.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in BMI z-score was observed across all baseline BMI categories (severe obesity, mild-moderate obesity, overweight, healthy weight) after two years.
• BMI z-scores decreased significantly in all age groups analyzed (2-10 years, >10-13 years, and ≥13 years).
• The study included a diverse population, with 56.6% females and 88.6% White participants.

Conclusions:

• Zonisamide initiation was associated with persistent BMI reduction for up to two years in children with epilepsy and elevated BMI.
• Further prospective research is warranted to confirm the weight management efficacy and safety profile of zonisamide in this specific pediatric population.
• The findings suggest a potential role for zonisamide in managing weight concerns in children with epilepsy.