Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam: an add-on trial in children with refractory epilepsy. |
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Authors: | S Grosso E Franzoni G Coppola P Iannetti A Verrotti D M Cordelli V Marchiani A Pascotto A Spalice B Acampora G Morgese P Balestri |
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Affiliation: | Pediatrics Department, University of Siena, Ospedale Santa Maria alle Scotte, Via M. Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy. |
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Abstract: | The aim of this multicentric, prospective and uncontrolled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in 110 children with refractory epilepsy, of whom 21 were less than 4 years old. After a median follow-up period of 7 months, levetiracetam administration was effective (responders with >50% decrease in seizure frequency) in 39% of children, of whom 10 (9%) became seizure-free. The efficacy was higher in patients with localization-related epilepsy (58% of responders) than in those with generalized epilepsy (37% of responders). Levetiracetam was well tolerated. The main side effects of somnolence and irritability occurred in 14% of patients. In one patient acute choreoathetosis occurred after few doses of levetiracetam. Overall, the adverse effects were not severe. Children younger than 4 years were particularly tolerant. In conclusion, the present study confirms that levetiracetam is effective and well tolerated as an add-on treatment in children with refractory epilepsy. Our preliminary data also indicate that levetiracetam may be a valid therapeutic option for epilepsy in infants and young children. |
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