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Efficacy of levetiracetam in refractory childhood epilepsy

Korean Journal of Pediatrics 2010;53(4):571-578.
Published online April 15, 2010.
Efficacy of levetiracetam in refractory childhood epilepsy
Keon Su Lee, Joon Won Kang
Institute for Brain Research, Chungnam National University, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
난치성 소아 간질에서 levetiracetam의 효과
이건수, 강준원
충남대학교 의학전문대학원 소아과학교실, 뇌과학연구소
Correspondence: 
Keon Su Lee, Email: ksulee@cnu.ac.kr
Abstract
Purpose
: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam adjunctive therapy for reducing the rate of seizure frequency in children with intractable pediatric epilepsy.
Methods
: We reviewed the medical records of 86 patients with intractable pediatric epilepsy who visited our hospital between March 1989 and February 2009. Levetiracetam was included in the previous anticonvulsant regimen for at least 6 months and the reduction in the rate of seizure frequency was determined in follow-up examinations. We analyzed demographic data, seizure types, antiepileptic drug history, levetiracetam dose, adverse effects of levetiracetam therapy, treatment outcome, electroencephalogram findings, etc.
Results
: More than 50% reduction in the seizure frequency was observed in 62 of the 86 (72.1%) patients; 44 patients (51.1%) became seizure free, while the seizure frequency increased in 5.8% patients. The associations between seizure reduction rate and age, associated diseases, seizure types, and seizure frequency before treatment were not significant. However, the duration of disease, dose of levetiracetam, duration and frequency of anticonvulsant administration before levetiracetam therapy were significantly correlated. Electroencephalogram findings and the cause of epilepsy showed partial correlation. Forty (46%) patients showed adverse symptoms; the symptoms in the order of their frequency were somnolence, hyperactivity, irritability, aggressiveness, tiredness, etc.
Conclusion
: The findings of our study provide the evidence that levetiracetam adjunctive therapy is efficacious and well tolerated in various refractory childhood epilepsy cases.
Key Words: Levetiracetam, Intractable epilepsy, Child


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