Follow-up Study On Efficacy And Safety Of Levetiracetam In Children With Epilepsy

ObjectiveThrough the follow-up study of Levetiracetam(LEV) in the treatment of children with different types of epilepsies,changes of clinical symptoms, electroencephalogram (EEG) and adverse events were observed. To research the efficacy and safety of LEV therapy in children with different types of epilepsies,and to provide more reliable methods and evidences for Pediatric neural physician in the application of Antiepileptic Drugs(AEDs).Methods100cases of children with epilepsy receiving LEV therapy from Shanxi Children’s Hospital between September2009and March2011were investigated in our subject.The method of self-controlled and open-label research was performed.Before LEV was intaken orally for children,possible efficency and adverse reactions were detailed told to parents to consent the permission. The LEV treatment initiated at the dose of10mg·kg-1·d-1,which was divided into twice daily,the same amounts were added continuously once a week,until the objective dose of20-40mg·kg-1·d-1within3-4weeks.Observation lasted for6-24months.Before taking the medicine,EEGs,Imaging examination(CT/MRI),Blood routine,Kidney and liver function examinations were done.Recheck blood routine and Kidney and liver function examinations after a month for the first time,then every3-6months.EEG was reexaminated every3months and attention is paid to the changes. Reduction of the percentage of frequency of attacks and EEGs changes as the judgment standard curative effect,to observe before and after treatment attack frequency changes, eeg changes.Recording the adverse reaction conditions,to evaluate the efficacy and safety.ResultsAmong100children,96patients were followed up.(1)Clinical attacks control:49cases(51%) achieved seizure-free,27children(28.1%) had at least50%reduction in seizures but not100%,17cases(17.8%) had inefficacy and3cases(3.1%) had aggravation.The total effective rate was79.1%.(2)EEG:the epileptic discharges in22children disappear,8decrease more than50%, 6decrease25%-49%,3show no changes in epileptic discharges and3increases.(3)Adverse events:The adverse events happened in few cases,including mood and behavioral changes(14.6%),asthenia(7.3%),somnolence(6.3%),and skin rashes(1%).Not found serious allergies and blood, kidney and liver function abnormal system depression and other adverse reaction.2cases withdrew the treatment for side effects.ConclusionLevetiracetam is of well efficacy and safety, especially in improving EEGs.As a new antiepileptic drug,LEV has a promising future in clinical use for children with types of epilepsies.