Utilization of New Antiepileptic Drugs in Children

Summary: Studies of the newer antiepileptic drugs suggest that they are exciting additions with improved efficacy and a perhaps decreased toxicity in certain types of refractory childhood epilepsy. In some very rare syndromes only anecdotal reports exist and further study is needed. Issues of tolerability, long-term safety in very young children, and effects on learning, behavior and other cognitive functions must be balanced with the possibility of improved efficacy. Additional well-controlled studies taking into account both seizure types and epilepsy syndromes are very much needed in neonates, infants, school aged children and adolescents.