Efficacy of levetiracetam in premature infants: our experience and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate levetiracetam (LEV) efficacy in preterm infants admitted in NICU.

Study design: Clinical characteristics of 26 preterm infants treated with LEV were evaluated retrospectively. The results were compared with those of 44 preterm infants from the literature who were given LEV.

Result: The mean gestational week of the infants receiving LEV was found as 26.7?±?3.3 weeks, mean birth weight as 938?±?561?g and mean dose of LEV as 17?±?9.23?mg/kg. Overall seizure control rate with LEV was found as 65%, while seizure control was achieved by 11.5% when it was used as the first drug, 35% as the second drug and 15.3% as the third drug. The incidence of sepsis and intraventricular hemorrhage in seizure etiology was 73% in infants who received LEV. There was no side effect observed during LEV treatment.

Conclusions: Seizure control was better achieved with LEV given as the 2nd antiepileptic in premature infants. Further studies with randomization of LEV and other antiepileptics in seizure control are needed.