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Nangle AM, He Z, Bhalla S, Bullock J, Carlson A, Dutt M, Hamrick S, Jones P, Piazza A, Vale A, Sewell EK. Reducing the percentage of surviving infants with acute symptomatic seizures discharged on anti-seizure medication. J Perinatol 2024:10.1038/s41372-024-02044-9. [PMID: 39043995 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-02044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of inclusion of an anti-seizure medication (ASM) weaning protocol in a neonatal seizure pathway on the percent of infants discharged on ASMs. STUDY DESIGN This cohort study included surviving infants with acute symptomatic seizures treated with ASMs across three institutions. We evaluated infants in 2 epochs, pre- and post-implementation of the ASM weaning protocol. The primary outcome was discharge on ASM. RESULTS Of 116 included infants, the percent of infants discharged on ASMs was 69% in epoch 1 versus 34% in epoch 2 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between epochs in recurrence of seizures after discharge by 1 year of age (p = 0.125). There was an annual decrease in the percent of infants discharged on ASM across all institutions. CONCLUSION Inclusion of a formal ASM weaning protocol as part of an institutional seizure pathway reduced percent of infants with acute symptomatic seizures discharged on ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Nangle
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhulin He
- Pediatric Biostatistics Core, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sonam Bhalla
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Alyssa Carlson
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Monideep Dutt
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon Hamrick
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Anthony Piazza
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Allison Vale
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Sewell
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics - Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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2
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Corsello A, Marangoni MB, Macchi M, Cozzi L, Agostoni C, Milani GP, Dilena R. Febrile Seizures: A Systematic Review of Different Guidelines. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 155:141-148. [PMID: 38653182 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common neurological disorder in pediatric age. FS affect 2% to 12% of children and result from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Effective management and unambiguous recommendations are crucial for allocating health care resources efficiently and ensuring cost-effectiveness in treating FS. METHODS This systematic review compares existing guidelines to provide insights into FS management. Seven guidelines published between 1991 and 2021, from Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Mexico, India, and Italy, were included. Data extraction covered definitions, diagnostic criteria, hospital admission criteria, diagnostic tests, management, and prophylaxis recommendations. RESULTS Hospital admission criteria varied but typically included age <18 months and complex FS. Neuroimaging and lumbar puncture recommendations varied, with most guidelines suggesting limited use. Pharmacologic prophylaxis was generally discouraged for simple FS but considered only for high-risk cases, due to the benign nature of FS and the potential side effects of antiseizure medications. CONCLUSIONS Guidelines on FS exhibit similarities and differences, highlighting the need for standardized management and improved parental education to enhance clinical outcomes and reduce economic and social costs associated with FS. Future research should focus on creating updated international guidelines and ensuring their practical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marina Macchi
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Cozzi
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Struttura Complessa Pediatria, Presidio Ospedaliero Magenta, ASST Ovest Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Agostoni
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Gregorio Paolo Milani
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Robertino Dilena
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neuropathophysiology Unit, Milan, Italy.
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3
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Jamali Z, Molaei-Farsangi MH, Ahmadipour H, Bahmanbijari B, Sabzevari F, Parizi ZD. Comparison of the effect of phenobarbital & levetiracetam in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) as adjuvant treatment in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:242. [PMID: 38580935 PMCID: PMC10996075 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06433-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants who are born from mothers with substance use disorder might suffer from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and need treatment with medicines. One of these medicines is phenobarbital, which may cause side effects in long-term consumption. Alternative drugs can be used to reduce these side effects. This study seeks the comparison of the effects of phenobarbital & levetiracetam as adjuvant therapy in neonatal abstinence syndrome. METHODS This randomized clinical trial was performed in one year from May 2021 until May 2022. The neonates who were born from mothers with substance use disorder and had neonatal abstinence syndrome in Afzalipoor Hospital of Kerman were studied. The treatment started with morphine initially and every four hours the infants were checked. The infants who were diagnosed with uncontrolled symptoms After obtaining informed consent from the parents were randomly divided into two groups and treated with secondary drugs, either phenobarbital or levetiracetam. RESULTS Based on the obtained results, it was clear that there was no significant difference between the hospitalization time of the two infant groups under therapy (phenobarbital: 18.59 days versus Levetiracetam 18.24 days) (P-value = 0.512). Also, there was no significant difference between both groups in terms of the frequency of re-hospitalization during the first week after discharge, the occurrence of complications, and third treatment line prescription (P-value = 0.644). CONCLUSIONS Based on the obtained results, like hospitalization duration time (P-value = 0.512) it seems that levetiracetam can be used to substitute phenobarbital in treating neonatal abstinence syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION The current study has been registered in the Iran registry of clinical trials website (fa.irct.ir) on the date 25/2/2022 with registration no. IRCT20211218053444N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jamali
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosein Molaei-Farsangi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine; Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Habibeh Ahmadipour
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Bahareh Bahmanbijari
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sabzevari
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Daei Parizi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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4
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Quinlan S, Khan T, McFall D, Campos-Rodriguez C, Forcelli PA. Early life phenobarbital exposure dysregulates the hippocampal transcriptome. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1340691. [PMID: 38606173 PMCID: PMC11007044 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1340691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Phenobarbital (PB) and levetiracetam (LEV) are the first-line therapies for neonates with diagnosed seizures, however, a growing body of evidence shows that these drugs given during critical developmental windows trigger lasting molecular changes in the brain. While the targets and mechanism of action of these drugs are well understood-what is not known is how these drugs alter the transcriptomic landscape, and therefore molecular profile/gene expression during these critical windows of neurodevelopment. PB is associated with a range of neurotoxic effects in developing animals, from cell death to altered synaptic development to lasting behavioral impairment. LEV does not produce these effects. Methods: Here we evaluated the effects of PB and Lev on the hippocampal transcriptome by RNA sequencing. Neonatal rat pups were given a single dose of PB, Lev or vehicle and sacrificed 72 h later-at time at which drug is expected to be cleared. Results: We found PB induces broad changes in the transcriptomic profile (124 differentially expressed transcripts), as compared to relatively small changes in LEV-treated animals (15 transcripts). PB exposure decreased GABAergic and oligodendrocyte markers pvalb and opalin, and increased the marker of activated microglia, cd68 and the astrocyte- associated gene vegfa. These data are consistent with the existing literature showing developmental neurotoxicity associated with PB, but not LEV. Discussion: The widespread change in gene expression after PB, which affected transcripts reflective of multiple cell types, may provide a link between acute drug administration and lasting drug toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seán Quinlan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tahiyana Khan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - David McFall
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Patrick A. Forcelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
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5
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Ghosh A, Quinlan S, Forcelli PA. Anti-seizure medication-induced developmental cell death in neonatal rats is unaltered by history of hypoxia. Epilepsy Res 2024; 201:107318. [PMID: 38430668 PMCID: PMC11018699 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many anti-seizure medications (ASMs) trigger neuronal cell death when administered during a confined period of early life in rodents. Prototypical ASMs used to treat early-life seizures such as phenobarbital induce this effect, whereas levetiracetam does not. However, most prior studies have examined the effect of ASMs in naïve animals, and the degree to which underlying brain injury interacts with these drugs to modify cell death is poorly studied. Moreover, the degree to which drug-induced neuronal cell death differs as a function of sex is unknown. METHODS We treated postnatal day 7 Sprague Dawley rat pups with vehicle, phenobarbital (75 mg/kg) or levetiracetam (200 mg/kg). Separate groups of pups were pre-exposed to either normoxia or graded global hypoxia. Separate groups of males and females were used. Twenty-four hours after drug treatment, brains were collected and processed for markers of cell death. RESULTS Consistent with prior studies, phenobarbital, but not levetiracetam, increased cell death in cortical regions, basal ganglia, hippocampus, septum, and lateral thalamus. Hypoxia did not modify basal levels of cell death. Females - collapsed across treatment and hypoxia status, displayed a small but significant increase in cell death as compared to males in the cingulate cortex, somatosensory cortex, and the CA1 and CA3 hippocampus; these effects were not modulated by hypoxia or drug treatment. CONCLUSION We found that a history of graded global hypoxia does not alter the neurotoxic profile of phenobarbital. Levetiracetam, which does not induce cell death in normal developing animals, maintained a benign profile on the background of neonatal hypoxia. We found a sex-based difference, as female animals showed elevated levels of cell death across all treatment conditions. Together, these data address several long-standing gaps in our understanding of the neurotoxic profile of antiseizure medications during early postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjik Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sean Quinlan
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Patrick A Forcelli
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
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Sewell EK, Shankaran S, McDonald SA, Hamrick S, Wusthoff CJ, Adams-Chapman I, Chalak LF, Davis AS, Van Meurs K, Das A, Maitre N, Laptook A, Patel RM. Antiseizure medication at discharge in infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: an observational study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2023; 108:421-428. [PMID: 36732048 PMCID: PMC10293046 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-324612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess variability in continuation of antiseizure medication (ASM) at discharge and to evaluate if continuation of ASM at discharge is associated with death or disability among infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and seizures. DESIGN Retrospective study of infants enrolled in three National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Trials of therapeutic hypothermia. SETTING 22 US centres. PATIENTS Infants with HIE who survived to discharge and had clinical or electrographic seizures treated with ASM. EXPOSURES ASM continued or discontinued at discharge. OUTCOMES Death or moderate-to-severe disability at 18-22 months, using trial definitions. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between continuation of ASM at discharge and the primary outcome, adjusting for severity of HIE, hypothermia trial treatment arm, use of electroencephalogram, discharge on gavage feeds, Apgar Score at 5 min, birth year and centre. RESULTS Of 302 infants included, 61% were continued on ASMs at discharge (range 13%-100% among 22 centres). Electroencephalogram use occurred in 92% of the cohort. Infants with severe HIE comprised 24% and 22% of those discharged with and without ASM, respectively. The risk of death or moderate-to-severe disability was greater for infants continued on ASM at discharge, compared with those infants discharged without ASM (44% vs 28%, adjusted OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants with HIE and seizures, continuation of ASM at discharge varies substantially among centres and may be associated with a higher risk of death or disability at 18-22 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Sewell
- Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Seetha Shankaran
- Pediatrics Neonatology, Wayne State University Childrens Hospital of MI, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Shannon Hamrick
- Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Ira Adams-Chapman
- Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lina F Chalak
- Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Dallas, dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Alexis S Davis
- Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Krisa Van Meurs
- Division of Neonatology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Abhik Das
- RTI International, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Nathalie Maitre
- Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Abbott Laptook
- Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ravi Mangal Patel
- Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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7
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Subramanian D, Cruz CV, Garcia-Bournissen F. Systematic Review of Early Phase Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Trials. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2022; 27:609-617. [DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-27.7.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Children have generally been excluded from early-stage clinical trials owing to safety concerns based in social expectations and not data. However, the repositioning of adult therapeutics for pediatric use and the increase in the development of therapies for pediatric only conditions require the participation of children in phase 1–2 trials. Therefore, the aim of this article is to systematically review the history and current state of early phase pediatric clinical pharmacology trials in order to understand safety concerns, trends, and challenges in pediatric trials.
METHODS
This review analyzed the nature of early phase pediatric clinical trials conducted for nononcology conditions through a systematic search that was performed for pediatric non-oncologic phase 1 or phase 1–2 drug and vaccine studies in MEDLINE.
RESULTS
The data show that the number of early phase pediatric clinical trials is still small relative to adults but has been on the rise in the past decade with relatively few serious adverse effects observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The widespread concerns about children's safety when they participate in early phase clinical trials seem disproportionate, based on our findings. The data confirm that these studies can be conducted safely, and that their results can contribute significantly to pediatric pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deejesh Subramanian
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (DS), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cintia V. Cruz
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine (CVC), Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Laboratory of Applied Statistics in Health Sciences (LEACS), Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Medical School (CVC), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo Garcia-Bournissen
- Division of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics (FG-B), Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Guidotti I, Lugli L, Ori L, Roversi MF, Casa Muttini ED, Bedetti L, Pugliese M, Cavalleri F, Stefanelli F, Ferrari F, Berardi A. Neonatal seizures treatment based on conventional multichannel EEG monitoring: an overview of therapeutic options. Expert Rev Neurother 2022; 22:623-638. [PMID: 35876114 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2105698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Seizures are the main neurological emergency during the neonatal period and are mostly acute and focal. The prognosis mainly depends on the underlying etiology. Conventional multichannel video-electroencephalographic (cEEG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosis, but treatment remains a challenge. AREAS COVERED : This review, based on PubMed search over the last 4 decades, focuses on the current treatment options for neonatal seizures based on cEEG monitoring. There is still no consensus on seizure therapy, owing to poor scientific evidence. Traditionally, the first-line treatments are phenobarbital and phenytoin, followed by midazolam and lidocaine, but their efficacy is limited. Therefore, current evidence strongly suggests the use of alternative antiseizure medications. Randomized controlled trials of new drugs are ongoing. EXPERT OPINION : Therapy for neonatal seizures should be prompt and tailored, based on semeiology, mirror of the underlying cause, and cEEG features. Further research should focus on antiseizure medications that directly act on the etiopathogenetic mechanism responsible for seizures and are therefore more effective in seizure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isotta Guidotti
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Licia Lugli
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Ori
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Federica Roversi
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Della Casa Muttini
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Bedetti
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Marisa Pugliese
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Cavalleri
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neuroscience, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Stefanelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferrari
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Berardi
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
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9
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Shin YJ, Godin R, Walters RA, Niu J, Kahn DJ. Effect of Phenobarbital on Elevated Direct Bilirubin Concentrations in Neonates and Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2022; 27:545-550. [DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-27.6.545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Few studies have evaluated the effect of phenobarbital (PB) on elevated direct bilirubin (DB) plasma concentrations in neonates and infants, and none have compared its effect with a control group with matched study baseline DB values. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in elevated DB plasma concentrations (≥2 mg/dL) in neonates and infants between a PB-treated and control group.
METHODS
A retrospective, observational, matched, cohort study was performed comparing patients between a PB-treated group and a control group with similar study baseline plasma DB values ≥2 mg/dL over an 8-week period. The percent change in DB plasma concentrations from study baseline was compared for each week of the study period.
RESULTS
During the 8-year study period, 310 patients had DB plasma concentrations ≥2 mg/dL, of which 26 remained in each group after exclusions. The PB group had increased DB concentrations and the control group had decreased DB concentrations when compared with their study baseline DB concentrations each week of the study period. By study end, the mean DB concentration increased by 11.2% in the PB group and decreased by 48.5% in the control group (p = 0.02). In multiple regression analysis, only birth weight (standardized coefficient = 0.44, p = 0.02), and gastrointestinal obstruction (standardized coefficient = −0.4, p = 0.03) were associated with significant percent change in DB concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated PB does not improve cholestasis in neonates and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young J. Shin
- Department of Pharmacy (YJS, RG, RAW), Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL
| | - Robert Godin
- Department of Pharmacy (YJS, RG, RAW), Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL
| | - Ryan A. Walters
- Department of Pharmacy (YJS, RG, RAW), Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL
| | - Jianli Niu
- Office of Human Research, Memorial Healthcare System (JN), Hollywood, FL
| | - Doron J. Kahn
- Division of Neonatology (DJK), Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL
- Pediatrix Medical Group (DJK), Sunrise, FL
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10
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Why won't it stop? The dynamics of benzodiazepine resistance in status epilepticus. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:428-441. [PMID: 35538233 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00664-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Status epilepticus is a life-threatening neurological emergency that affects both adults and children. Approximately 36% of episodes of status epilepticus do not respond to the current preferred first-line treatment, benzodiazepines. The proportion of episodes that are refractory to benzodiazepines is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries (HICs). Evidence suggests that longer episodes of status epilepticus alter brain physiology, thereby contributing to the emergence of benzodiazepine resistance. Such changes include alterations in GABAA receptor function and in the transmembrane gradient for chloride, both of which erode the ability of benzodiazepines to enhance inhibitory synaptic signalling. Often, current management guidelines for status epilepticus do not account for these duration-related changes in pathophysiology, which might differentially impact individuals in LMICs, where the average time taken to reach medical attention is longer than in HICs. In this Perspective article, we aim to combine clinical insights and the latest evidence from basic science to inspire a new, context-specific approach to efficiently managing status epilepticus.
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11
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Sullivan BJ, Kipnis PA, Carter BM, Shao LR, Kadam SD. Targeting ischemia-induced KCC2 hypofunction rescues refractory neonatal seizures and mitigates epileptogenesis in a mouse model. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eabg2648. [PMID: 34752143 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abg2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennan J Sullivan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pavel A Kipnis
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon M Carter
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Li-Rong Shao
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shilpa D Kadam
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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12
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Glass HC, Soul JS, Chang T, Wusthoff CJ, Chu CJ, Massey SL, Abend NS, Lemmon M, Thomas C, Numis AL, Guillet R, Sturza J, McNamara NA, Rogers EE, Franck LS, McCulloch CE, Shellhaas RA. Safety of Early Discontinuation of Antiseizure Medication After Acute Symptomatic Neonatal Seizures. JAMA Neurol 2021; 78:817-825. [PMID: 34028496 PMCID: PMC8145161 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.1437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Question Is discontinuation of antiseizure medication (ASM) after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures and prior to discharge from the hospital associated with functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy at 24 months? Findings In this comparative effectiveness study of 303 children with neonatal seizures from 9 centers, 64% had ASM maintained at hospital discharge. No difference was found between ASM maintenance and discontinuation groups in functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy; 13% of children developed epilepsy, including more than one-third with infantile spasms. Meaning These results support discontinuing ASMs for most neonates with acute symptomatic seizures prior to discharge from the hospital, an approach that may represent an evidence-based change in practice for many clinicians. Importance Antiseizure medication (ASM) treatment duration for acute symptomatic neonatal seizures is variable. A randomized clinical trial of phenobarbital compared with placebo after resolution of acute symptomatic seizures closed early owing to low enrollment. Objective To assess whether ASM discontinuation after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures and before hospital discharge is associated with functional neurodevelopment or risk of epilepsy at age 24 months. Design, Setting, and Participants This comparative effectiveness study included 303 neonates with acute symptomatic seizures (282 with follow-up data and 270 with the primary outcome measure) from 9 US Neonatal Seizure Registry centers, born from July 2015 to March 2018. The centers all had level IV neonatal intensive care units and comprehensive pediatric epilepsy programs. Data were analyzed from June 2020 to February 2021. Exposures The primary exposure was duration of ASM treatment dichotomized as ASM discontinued vs ASM maintained at the time of discharge from the neonatal seizure admission. To enhance causal association, each outcome risk was adjusted for propensity to receive ASM at discharge. Propensity for ASM maintenance was defined by a logistic regression model including seizure cause, gestational age, therapeutic hypothermia, worst electroencephalogram background, days of electroencephalogram seizures, and discharge examination (all P ≤ .10 in a joint model except cause, which was included for face validity). Main Outcomes and Measures Functional neurodevelopment was assessed by the Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills (WIDEA-FS) at 24 months powered for propensity-adjusted noninferiority of early ASM discontinuation. Postneonatal epilepsy, a prespecified secondary outcome, was defined per International League Against Epilepsy criteria, determined by parent interview, and corroborated by medical records. Results Most neonates (194 of 303 [64%]) had ASM maintained at the time of hospital discharge. Among 270 children evaluated at 24 months (mean [SD], 23.8 [0.7] months; 147 [54%] were male), the WIDEA-FS score was similar for the infants whose ASMs were discontinued (101 of 270 [37%]) compared with the infants with ASMs maintained (169 of 270 [63%]) at discharge (median score, 165 [interquartile range, 150-175] vs 161 [interquartile range, 129-174]; P = .09). The propensity-adjusted average difference was 4 points (90% CI, −3 to 11 points), which met the a priori noninferiority limit of −12 points. The epilepsy risk was similar (11% vs 14%; P = .49), with a propensity-adjusted odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI, 0.7-3.4; P = .32). Conclusions and Relevance In this comparative effectiveness study, no difference was found in functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy at age 24 months among children whose ASM was discontinued vs maintained at hospital discharge after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures. These results support discontinuation of ASM prior to hospital discharge for most infants with acute symptomatic neonatal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C Glass
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco.,Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco.,Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics; University of California, San Francisco
| | - Janet S Soul
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Taeun Chang
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Courtney J Wusthoff
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.,Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Catherine J Chu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shavonne L Massey
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Nicholas S Abend
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Monica Lemmon
- Departments of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cameron Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Adam L Numis
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco.,Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Ronnie Guillet
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Julie Sturza
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Elizabeth E Rogers
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Linda S Franck
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco.,Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Charles E McCulloch
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics; University of California, San Francisco
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Zhou KQ, McDouall A, Drury PP, Lear CA, Cho KHT, Bennet L, Gunn AJ, Davidson JO. Treating Seizures after Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Current Controversies and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137121. [PMID: 34281174 PMCID: PMC8268683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures are common in newborn infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and are highly associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The impact of seizure activity on the developing brain and the most effective way to manage these seizures remain surprisingly poorly understood, particularly in the era of therapeutic hypothermia. Critically, the extent to which seizures exacerbate brain injury or merely reflect the underlying evolution of injury is unclear. Current anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital and phenytoin have poor efficacy and preclinical studies suggest that most anticonvulsants are associated with adverse effects on the developing brain. Levetiracetam seems to have less potential neurotoxic effects than other anticonvulsants but may not be more effective. Given that therapeutic hypothermia itself has significant anticonvulsant effects, randomized controlled trials of anticonvulsants combined with therapeutic hypothermia, are required to properly determine the safety and efficacy of these drugs. Small clinical studies suggest that prophylactic phenobarbital administration may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to delayed administration; however, larger high-quality studies are required to confirm this. In conclusion, there is a distinct lack of high-quality evidence for whether and to what extent neonatal seizures exacerbate brain damage after hypoxia-ischemia and how best to manage them in the era of therapeutic hypothermia.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures occurring in a child older than one month during an episode of fever affect 2-4% of children in Great Britain and the United States and recur in 30%. Rapid-acting antiepileptics and antipyretics given during subsequent fever episodes have been used to avoid the adverse effects of continuous antiepileptic drugs. This is an updated version of a Cochrane Review previously published in 2017. OBJECTIVES To evaluate primarily the effectiveness and safety of antiepileptic and antipyretic drugs used prophylactically to treat children with febrile seizures; and also to evaluate any other drug intervention where there is a sound biological rationale for its use. SEARCH METHODS For the latest update we searched the following databases on 3 February 2020: Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to 31 January 2020). CRS Web includes randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials from PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the specialised registers of Cochrane Review Groups including the Cochrane Epilepsy Group. We imposed no language restrictions and contacted researchers to identify continuing or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Trials using randomised or quasi-randomised participant allocation that compared the use of antiepileptics, antipyretics or recognised Central Nervous System active agents with each other, placebo, or no treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS For the original review, two review authors independently applied predefined criteria to select trials for inclusion and extracted the predefined relevant data, recording methods for randomisation, blinding, and exclusions. For the 2016 update, a third review author checked all original inclusions, data analyses, and updated the search. For the 2020 update, one review author updated the search and performed the data analysis following a peer-review process with the original review authors. We assessed seizure recurrence at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 months, and where data were available at age 5 to 6 years along with recorded adverse effects. We evaluated the presence of publication bias using funnel plots. MAIN RESULTS We included 42 articles describing 32 randomised trials, with 4431 randomised participants used in the analysis of this review. We analysed 15 interventions of continuous or intermittent prophylaxis and their control treatments. Methodological quality was moderate to poor in most studies. We found no significant benefit for intermittent phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproate, pyridoxine, ibuprofen, or zinc sulfate versus placebo or no treatment; nor for diclofenac versus placebo followed by ibuprofen, paracetamol, or placebo; nor for continuous phenobarbital versus diazepam, intermittent rectal diazepam versus intermittent valproate, or oral diazepam versus clobazam. There was a significant reduction of recurrent febrile seizures with intermittent diazepam versus placebo or no treatment at six months (risk ratio (RR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 0.85; 6 studies, 1151 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), 12 months (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.84; 8 studies, 1416 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), 18 months (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.60; 1 study, 289 participants; low-certainty evidence), 24 months (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95; 4 studies, 739 participants; high-certainty evidence), 36 months (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.85; 1 study, 139 participants; low-certainty evidence), 48 months (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.89; 1 study, 110 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), with no benefit at 60 to 72 months (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.31; 1 study, 60 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Phenobarbital versus placebo or no treatment reduced seizures at six months (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.83; 6 studies, 833 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), 12 months (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.70; 7 studies, 807 participants; low-certainty evidence), and 24 months (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.89; 3 studies, 533 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), but not at 18 months (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.05; 2 studies, 264 participants) or 60 to 72 months follow-up (RR 1.50, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.69; 1 study, 60 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Intermittent clobazam compared to placebo at six months resulted in a RR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.64; 1 study, 60 participants; low-certainty evidence), an effect found against an extremely high (83.3%) recurrence rate in the controls, a result that needs replication. When compared to intermittent diazepam, intermittent oral melatonin did not significantly reduce seizures at six months (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.15; 1 study, 60 participants; very-low certainty evidence). When compared to placebo, intermittent oral levetiracetam significantly reduced recurrent seizures at 12 months (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.52; 1 study, 115 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The recording of adverse effects was variable. Two studies reported lower comprehension scores in phenobarbital-treated children. Adverse effects were recorded in up to 30% of children in the phenobarbital-treated groups and 36% in benzodiazepine-treated groups. We found evidence of publication bias in the meta-analyses of comparisons for phenobarbital versus placebo (seven studies) at 12 months but not at six months (six studies); and valproate versus placebo (four studies) at 12 months. There were too few studies to identify publication bias for the other comparisons. The methodological quality of most of the included studies was low or very low. Methods of randomisation and allocation concealment often did not meet current standards, and 'treatment versus no treatment' was more commonly seen than 'treatment versus placebo', leading to obvious risks of bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found reduced recurrence rates for intermittent diazepam and continuous phenobarbital, with adverse effects in up to 30% of children. The apparent benefit for clobazam treatment in one trial needs to be replicated. Levetiracetam also shows benefit with a good safety profile; however, further study is required. Given the benign nature of recurrent febrile seizures, and the high prevalence of adverse effects of these drugs, parents and families should be supported with adequate contact details of medical services and information on recurrence, first aid management, and, most importantly, the benign nature of the phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Offringa
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Richard Newton
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah J Nevitt
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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15
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Neurocognitive Effects of Antiseizure Medications in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy. Paediatr Drugs 2021; 23:253-286. [PMID: 33956338 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-021-00448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in cognition are common in epilepsy and may be caused or exacerbated by antiseizure medications (ASMs). Positive effects on cognition may also be seen with some ASMs. Cognitive outcomes are of particular concern in children who may be at an increased risk of cognitive adverse effects of treatment. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed in order to evaluate the evidence for cognitive changes associated with treatment with ASMs in paediatric epilepsy patients. The ASMs considered were those in the current edition of the British National Formulary (BNF). For most ASMs, remarkably few studies providing robust data on cognitive effects in paediatric patients were identified. The available evidence suggests cognitive impairments may be associated with treatment with phenobarbital. Topiramate and phenytoin are also associated with negative effects on cognition, in particular word-finding difficulties and other language deficits with topiramate, but there are few data available specifically on children. Lamotrigine, levetiracetam and fenfluramine are associated with improvements in some cognitive domains, although it is unclear whether these effects are directly attributable to the medications or are a result of improvements in seizures. Neutral effects on cognition (no substantial evidence of worsening) were suggested for carbamazepine, everolimus, lacosamide, oxcarbazepine, perampanel and valproate. There is limited data for cannabidiol, clobazam, eslicarbazepine acetate, ethosuximide, rufinamide, vigabatrin and zonisamide, although the available evidence suggests these drugs are not associated with severe cognitive impairment. There was too little information to reach conclusions about the effects of brivaracetam, felbamate, gabapentin, pregabalin, retigabine, stiripentol or tiagabine.
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16
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Ahmad SF, Ahmad KA, Ng YT. Neonatal Epileptic Encephalopathies. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2021; 37:100880. [PMID: 33892847 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2021.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The majority of neonatal seizures are related to common diagnoses, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and intraventricular hemorrhage. While relatively uncommon, neonatal epileptic encephalopathies represent an important group of neonatal seizure disorders that require immediate diagnosis and intervention. In this review, we provide a summary of the benign and severe neonatal epilepsy syndromes. While benign epilepsy syndromes have favorable prognoses, rapid and accurate diagnosis may prevent an unnecessarily long course of antiseizure medications. The severe epilepsy syndromes may be related to a number of underlying genetic disorders and often carry a poor prognosis. Herein we review diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and provide a set or algorithms for said purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiya Fatima Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio, TX; The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
| | - Kaashif Aqeeb Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio, TX; The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX; Pediatrix Medical Group of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Yu-Tze Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio, TX; The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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17
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What is the Best Predictor of Phenobarbital Pharmacokinetics to Use for Initial Dosing in Neonates? Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13030301. [PMID: 33668911 PMCID: PMC7996486 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenobarbital is a first-line treatment of various seizure types in newborns. Dosage individualization maximizing the proportion of patients with drug levels in therapeutic range or sufficient treatment response is still challenging. The aim of this review was to summarize the available evidence on phenobarbital pharmacokinetics in neonates and to identify its possible covariates suitable for individualization of initial drug dosing. Several covariates have been considered: body weight and height, body surface area, gestational and postnatal age, laboratory parameters of renal and hepatic functions, asphyxia, therapeutic hypothermia, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), drug interactions, and genetic polymorphisms. The most frequently studied and well-founded covariate for the estimation of phenobarbital dosing is actual body weight. Loading dose of 15-20 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 3-5 mg/kg/day seems to be accurate. However, the evidence for the other covariates with respect to dosing individualization is not sufficient. Doses at the lower limit of suggested range should be preferred in patients with severe asphyxia, while the upper limit of the range should be targeted in neonates receiving ECMO support.
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18
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Abstract
There is increasing recognition that epilepsy can be associated with a broad spectrum of comorbidities. While epileptic seizures are an essential element of epilepsy in children, there is a spectrum of neurological, mental health and cognitive disorders that add to the disease burden of childhood epilepsy resulting in a decreased quality of life. The most common comorbid conditions in childhood epilepsy include depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, sleep disorders, attention deficits, cognitive impairment, and migraine. While epilepsy can result in comorbidities, many of the comorbidities of childhood have a bi-directional association, with the comorbid condition increasing risk for epilepsy and epilepsy increasing the risk for the comorbid condition. The bidirectional feature of epilepsy and the comorbidities suggest a common underlying pathological basis for both the seizures and comorbid condition. While recognition of the comorbid conditions of pediatric epilepsies is increasing, there has been a lag in the development of effective therapies partly out of concern that drugs used to treat the comorbid conditions could increase seizure susceptibility. There is now some evidence that most drugs used for comorbid conditions are safe and do not lower seizure threshold. Unfortunately, the evidence showing drugs are effective in treating many of the childhood comorbidities of epilepsy is quite limited. There is a great need for randomized, placebo-controlled drug trials for efficacy and safety in the treatment of comorbidities of childhood epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Holmes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Stafford Hall, 118C, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
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19
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Lechner CR, McNally MA, St Pierre M, Felling RJ, Northington FJ, Stafstrom CE, Chavez-Valdez R. Sex specific correlation between GABAergic disruption in the dorsal hippocampus and flurothyl seizure susceptibility after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 148:105222. [PMID: 33309937 PMCID: PMC7864119 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) disrupts the hippocampal (Hp) GABAergic network in the mouse and Hp injury in this model correlates with flurothyl seizure susceptibility only in male mice, we hypothesized that GABAergic disruption correlates with flurothyl seizure susceptibility in a sex-specific manner. C57BL6 mice were exposed to HI (Vannucci model) versus sham procedures at P10, randomized to normothermia (NT) or therapeutic hypothermia (TH), and subsequently underwent flurothyl seizure testing at P18. Only in male mice, Hp atrophy correlated with seizure susceptibility. The number of Hp parvalbumin positive interneurons (PV+INs) decreased after HI in both sexes, but TH attenuated this deficit only in females. In males only, seizure susceptibility directly correlated with the number of PV+INs, but not somatostatin or calretinin expressing INs. Hp GABAB receptor subunit levels were decreased after HI, but unrelated to later seizure susceptibility. In contrast, Hp GABAA receptor α1 subunit (GABAARα1) levels were increased after HI. Adjusting the number of PV+ INs for their GABAARα1 expression strengthened the correlation with seizure susceptibility in male mice. Thus, we identified a novel Hp sex-specific GABA-mediated mechanism of compensation after HI that correlates with flurothyl seizure susceptibility warranting further study to better understand potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles R Lechner
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Melanie A McNally
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mark St Pierre
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ryan J Felling
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Frances J Northington
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Carl E Stafstrom
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Raul Chavez-Valdez
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolf Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Sharma D, Hussain AM, Sharma SS. Efficacy of Levetiracetam in neonatal seizures: a systematic review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:3923-3930. [PMID: 33172319 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1844651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal seizures represent the most frequent presenting sign of any neurological abnormality secondary to various etiologies in the neonatal period. Phenobarbitone (PB) has been used as first-line anti-epileptic drug in the treatment of seizures but concerns have been raised regarding its neuro-apoptotic effects over the developing brain. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a newer anti-epileptic drug with neuroprotective property and has been used in adults and pediatric patient but its use in neonates have very limited experience. Recently many neonatal studies have sought the role of LEV in the management of neonatal seizures. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of Levetiracetam in the management of neonatal seizures. SEARCH METHODS The literature search was done for this systematic review by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and other various electronic databases including PubMed and various sites for ongoing trials and abstracts of conferences. RESULTS Two eligible studies were analyzed that fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the systematic review. Fifteen studies were excluded due to the non-fulfillment of inclusion criteria. The primary outcome of both studies was to see the efficiency of LEV in controlling neonatal seizures when compared to PB. Better seizure control after a single loading dose of LEV was seen. Rates of seizure cessation at 24 h was also better in the LEV arm. Neonatal seizures secondary to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and receiving therapeutic hypothermia were better controlled with LEV. The side effect of LEV was significantly less when compared to PB. CONCLUSION Levetiracetam has shown to have promising anti-epileptic properties for the management of neonatal seizure with better efficacy and less or no side effects. There is a need to conduct more randomized controlled trials seeking the role of LEV in the acute management of neonatal seizures and also for assessing its neuroprotective role and neurodevelopmental outcome in these neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Sharma
- Department of Neonatology, National Institute of Medical and Sciences Medical College, Jaipur, India
| | - Ansar Murtuza Hussain
- Department of Pediatrics, Vijay Marie Hospital and Education society, Khairtabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sweta Shastri Sharma
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Medical and Sciences Medical College, Jaipur, India
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21
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Mustafayev R, Seyid-Mammadova T, Kennedy CR, Ertem IO, Forsyth B, Weber M. Perinatal encephalopathy, the syndrome of intracranial hypertension and associated diagnostic labels in the Commonwealth of Independent States: a systematic review. Arch Dis Child 2020; 105:921-926. [PMID: 32532707 PMCID: PMC7513255 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WHO reports excessive rates of ill-defined neurological diagnoses and ineffective and potentially harmful drug treatments in children in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Collectively termed perinatal encephalopathy and the syndrome of intracranial hypertension (PE-SIH), these diagnoses are important contributors to perceived childhood morbidity and disability in the CIS. A systematic compilation of information on PE-SIH is lacking. METHODS We systematically reviewed publications between 1970 and 2020 on PE-SIH in Azerbaijani, English, Russian and Ukrainian languages and summarised information on PE-SIH. RESULTS We identified 30 publications (70% in Russian) published 1976-2017. The diagnosis of PE-SIH was either based on unreported criteria (67% of reports), non-specific clinical features of typically developing children or those with common developmental disorders (20% of reports) or cranial ultrasound (13% of reports). The reported proportion of children with PE-SIH in the study samples ranged from 31% to 99%. There were few published studies on reassessments of children diagnosed with PE-SIH, and these did not confirm neurological disease in the majority of children. Treatments included multiple unlicenced drugs without established effectiveness and with potential unwanted effects. CONCLUSION This review suggests that PE-SIH is a medical diagnostic label that is used in numerous children without substantive associated disease. The diagnosis and treatment of PE-SIH is a multidimensional, iatrogenic, clinical and public health problem in the CIS. With increasing use of evidence-based medicine guidelines in the region, it is hoped that PE-SIH will gradually disappear, but actions to accelerate this change are nevertheless needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revan Mustafayev
- Department of Pediatrics Developmental Pediatrics Division, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tarana Seyid-Mammadova
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Baku Children's Rehabilitation Centre, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Colin R Kennedy
- Clinical Neurosciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Ilgi Ozturk Ertem
- Department of Pediatrics Developmental Pediatrics Division, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Brian Forsyth
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Martin Weber
- Regional Office for Europe, World Health Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Brusseau C, Burnette T, Heidel RE. Clonidine versus phenobarbital as adjunctive therapy for neonatal abstinence syndrome. J Perinatol 2020; 40:1050-1055. [PMID: 32424335 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-020-0685-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare clonidine versus phenobarbital as adjunctive therapy in infants who failed monotherapy with morphine for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, open-label study of infants ≥ 35 weeks' gestation. Infants received clonidine or phenobarbital per protocol. Primary outcome was morphine treatment days. Secondary outcomes were inpatient adjunctive days, length of stay (LOS), triple therapy, safety, and readmission rates. RESULTS A total of 25 infants were treated with clonidine (n = 14) or phenobarbital (n = 11). Mean morphine treatment duration was significantly longer with clonidine (34.4 days, SD = 10.6) compared with phenobarbital (25.5 days, SD = 7.3, p = 0.026). The clonidine group also had higher inpatient adjunctive days (mean: 33.8 days [SD = 14.3] vs. 22 days [SD = 12.6], p = 0.042) and LOS (mean: 41.8 days [SD = 10.9] vs. 31 days [SD = 10]; p = 0.018) compared with phenobarbital. CONCLUSIONS Phenobarbital, as adjunctive therapy, led to significantly shorter duration of morphine therapy, inpatient adjunctive days, and length of stay compared with clonidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Brusseau
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Tara Burnette
- Department of Neonatology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - R Eric Heidel
- Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Sharpe C, Reiner GE, Davis SL, Nespeca M, Gold JJ, Rasmussen M, Kuperman R, Harbert MJ, Michelson D, Joe P, Wang S, Rismanchi N, Le NM, Mower A, Kim J, Battin MR, Lane B, Honold J, Knodel E, Arnell K, Bridge R, Lee L, Ernstrom K, Raman R, Haas RH. Levetiracetam Versus Phenobarbital for Neonatal Seizures: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics 2020; 145:peds.2019-3182. [PMID: 32385134 PMCID: PMC7263056 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for neonatal seizures. Phenobarbital and phenytoin frequently fail to control seizures. There are concerns about the safety of seizure medications in the developing brain. Levetiracetam has proven efficacy and an excellent safety profile in older patients; therefore, there is great interest in its use in neonates. However, randomized studies have not been performed. Our objectives were to study the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam compared with phenobarbital as a first-line treatment of neonatal seizures. METHODS The study was a multicenter, randomized, blinded, controlled, phase IIb trial investigating the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam compared with phenobarbital as a first-line treatment for neonatal seizures of any cause. The primary outcome measure was complete seizure freedom for 24 hours, assessed by independent review of the EEGs by 2 neurophysiologists. RESULTS Eighty percent of patients (24 of 30) randomly assigned to phenobarbital remained seizure free for 24 hours, compared with 28% of patients (15 of 53) randomly assigned to levetiracetam (P < .001; relative risk 0.35 [95% confidence interval: 0.22-0.56]; modified intention-to-treat population). A 7.5% improvement in efficacy was achieved with a dose escalation of levetiracetam from 40 to 60 mg/kg. More adverse effects were seen in subjects randomly assigned to phenobarbital (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS In this phase IIb study, phenobarbital was more effective than levetiracetam for the treatment of neonatal seizures. Higher rates of adverse effects were seen with phenobarbital treatment. Higher-dose studies of levetiracetam are warranted, and definitive studies with long-term outcome measures are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Sharpe
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Starship Children’s Health, Auckland, New Zealand;,Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Gail E. Reiner
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Suzanne L. Davis
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Starship Children’s Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mark Nespeca
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Jeffrey J. Gold
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | | | - Rachel Kuperman
- Pediatric Neurology, University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Mary Jo Harbert
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, San Diego, California
| | - David Michelson
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, California
| | - Priscilla Joe
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics and
| | - Sonya Wang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Neggy Rismanchi
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Ngoc Minh Le
- Neonatal Research Institute, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, San Diego, California
| | - Andrew Mower
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Jae Kim
- Division of NeoNatology, Departments of Pediatrics and
| | - Malcolm R. Battin
- Department of Neonatology, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand; and
| | - Brian Lane
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Jose Honold
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Ellen Knodel
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Kathy Arnell
- Neonatal Research Institute, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, San Diego, California
| | - Renee Bridge
- Division of NeoNatology, Departments of Pediatrics and
| | - Lilly Lee
- Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Karin Ernstrom
- Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rema Raman
- Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Richard H. Haas
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, California
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24
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Samanta D. Ketamine in Refractory Neonatal Seizures. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 106:76. [PMID: 31917102 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Debopam Samanta
- Child Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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25
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Gossling L, Alix JJP, Stavroulakis T, Hart AR. Investigating and managing neonatal seizures in the UK: an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:36. [PMID: 31992265 PMCID: PMC6986085 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-1918-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal seizures are difficult to diagnose and, when they are, tradition dictates first line treatment is phenobarbital. There is little data on how consultants diagnose neonatal seizures, choose when to treat or how they choose aetiological investigations or drug treatments. The purpose of this study was to assess the variation across the UK in the management of neonatal seizures and explore paediatricians’ views on their diagnosis and treatment. Methods An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used (QUAN→QUAL) with equal waiting between stages. We collected quantitative data from neonatology staff and paediatric neurologists using a questionnaire sent to neonatal units and via emails from the British Paediatric Neurology Association. We asked for copies of neonatal unit guidelines on the management of seizures. The data from questionnaires was used to identify16 consultants using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to interpret qualitative data, which was triangulated with quantitative questionnaire data. Results One hundred questionnaires were returned: 47.7% thought levetiracetam was as, or equally, effective as phenobarbital; 9.2% thought it was less effective. 79.6% of clinicians had seen no side effects in neonates with levetiracetam. 97.8% of unit guidelines recommended phenobarbital first line, with wide variation in subsequent drug choice, aetiological investigations, and advice on when to start treatment. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: ‘Managing uncertainty with neonatal seizures’, ‘Moving practice forward’ and ‘Multidisciplinary team working’. Consultants noted collecting evidence on anti-convulsant drugs in neonates is problematic, and recommended a number of solutions, including collaboration to reach consensus guidelines, to reduce diagnostic and management uncertainty. Conclusions There is wide variation in the management of neonatal seizures and clinicians face many uncertainties. Our data has helped reveal some of the reasons for current practice and decision making. Suggestions to improve certainty include: educational initiatives to improve the ability of neonatal staff to describe suspicious events, greater use of video, closer working between neonatologists and neurologists, further research, and a national discussion to reach a consensus on a standardised approach to managing neonatal epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Gossling
- University of Sheffield Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - James J P Alix
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Theocharis Stavroulakis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Anthony R Hart
- Department of Paediatric and Neonatal Neurology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ryegate Children's Centre, Tapton Crescent Road, Sheffield, S10 5DD, UK.
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26
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Helmstaedter C, Witt JA, Hoppe C. Evaluating the mediating role of executive functions for antiepileptic drugs' effects on IQ in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 96:98-103. [PMID: 31121514 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Several studies suggest that antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment may permanently or reversibly affect intelligence (intelligence quotient [IQ]) in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Since AED treatment preferentially affects attention and executive functions, we evaluated the potentially mediating effect of executive functions in regard to the adverse effects of drug treatment on intelligence. In a retrospective observational study, 178 children and adolescents with refractory and mostly localization-related epilepsies were evaluated in regard to the interrelation of IQ (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children [WISC III] short-form), executive functions (EpiTrack-Junior®, a cognitive AED screening test), and drug treatment (drug load). The results indicate that a low IQ was evident in 23%, impaired executive functions in 59% of the patients. Executive functions correlated to IQ (r = 0.60) and the symbol digits and picture arrangement subtests (R2 = 0.46) in particular. Odds ratios for impaired executive functions compared to being off drug (33% impaired) increased from 2.0 with one drug (53% impaired) to 9.5 (83% impaired) with at least three drugs. A mediation analysis revealed that drug dependent differences in executive functions mediate the negative effect of the AED load on intelligence. Hence, executive functions appear to link adverse cognitive side effects of AED treatment to intelligence. Considering Catell's two factor model of intelligence, AEDs preferentially affect the aspects of fluid intelligence. The overall impact of AED on intelligence appears mild. It may become relevant, however, when drug-induced impairments persist over longer time intervals during sensitive developmental phases. This issue needs to be addressed in future longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juri-Alexander Witt
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Hoppe
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
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27
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Davidson JO, Bennet L, Gunn AJ. Evaluating anti-epileptic drugs in the era of therapeutic hypothermia. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:931-933. [PMID: 30742031 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne O Davidson
- The Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- The Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alistair J Gunn
- The Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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28
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Dizon MLV, Rao R, Hamrick SE, Zaniletti I, DiGeronimo R, Natarajan G, Kaiser JR, Flibotte J, Lee KS, Smith D, Yanowitz T, Mathur AM, Massaro AN. Practice variation in anti-epileptic drug use for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy among regional NICUs. BMC Pediatr 2019; 19:67. [PMID: 30813933 PMCID: PMC6391819 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While intercenter variation (ICV) in anti-epileptic drug (AED) use in neonates with seizures has been previously reported, variation in AED practices across regional NICUs has not been specifically and systematically evaluated. This is important as these centers typically have multidisciplinary neonatal neurocritical care teams and protocolized approaches to treating conditions such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a population at high risk for neonatal seizures. To identify opportunities for quality improvement (QI), we evaluated ICV in AED utilization for neonates with HIE treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) across regional NICUs in the US. Methods Children’s Hospital Neonatal Database and Pediatric Health Information Systems data were linked for 1658 neonates ≥36 weeks’ gestation, > 1800 g birthweight, with HIE treated with TH, from 20 NICUs, between 2010 and 2016. ICV in AED use was evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Rates of AED exposure, duration, prescription at discharge and standardized AED costs per patient were calculated as different measures of utilization. Results Ninety-five percent (range: 83–100%) of patients with electrographic seizures, and 26% (0–81%) without electrographic seizures, received AEDs. Phenobarbital was most frequently used (97.6%), followed by levetiracetam (16.9%), phenytoin/fosphenytoin (15.6%) and others (2.4%; oxcarbazepine, topiramate and valproate). There was significant ICV in all measures of AED utilization. Median cost of AEDs per patient was $89.90 (IQR $24.52,$258.58). Conclusions Amongst Children’s Hospitals, there is marked ICV in AED utilization for neonatal HIE. Variation was particularly notable for HIE patients without electrographic seizures, indicating that this population may be an appropriate target for QI processes to harmonize neuromonitoring and AED practices across centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L V Dizon
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 225 East Chicago Ave, Box 45, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Rakesh Rao
- Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Robert DiGeronimo
- Seattle Children's Hospital/University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - John Flibotte
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Toby Yanowitz
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - An N Massaro
- Children's National Health Systems, Washington, DC, USA
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29
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Wilmshurst JM, Guekht A, Secco M, Helen Cross J, Perucca E. Advocacy for children with epilepsy: Leveraging the WHA resolution. Advocacy Task Force, Commission of Pediatrics, International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2018; 3:167-174. [PMID: 29881796 PMCID: PMC5983105 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In May 2015 the World Health Assembly (WHA) approved the Resolution on the Global Burden of Epilepsy. This report addresses how the Resolution can be leveraged to improve the care of children with epilepsy worldwide. Children with epilepsy have unique needs and face unique challenges from stigma at all levels of society. Children lack a voice to lobby for their own needs, including their right to have access to education. Effective leadership and governance should be enhanced through the support of stakeholders empowered to counsel, advise, and lobby for appropriate care. National health care plans should integrate primary and specialist care, and they need to be adapted to local specificities. Antiepileptic medicines should be widely accessible in appropriate, sustained, and affordable ways. Public awareness initiatives are needed to improve the inclusion of affected children in society and to reduce stigma. Cost-effective interventions are also needed to address preventable causes of epilepsy. Without greater investment in research, evidence-based interventions cannot be implemented. Through all of this, civil society must be engaged to ensure that the multivariate dimensions from the clinic to the community are addressed to fulfil the needs of children with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Alla Guekht
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Genetics Russian National Research Medical University and Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry Moscow Russia
| | - Mary Secco
- Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario Western University International Bureau for Epilepsy London Ontario Canada
| | - J Helen Cross
- Developmental Neurosciences Programme UCl Great Ormond Street Institute of Child health London U.K.,Young Epilepsy Lingfield U.K
| | - Emilio Perucca
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics University of Pavia Pavia Italy.,Clinical Trial Center C. Mondino National Neurological Institute Pavia Italy
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30
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Baumer FM, Cardon AL, Porter BE. Language Dysfunction in Pediatric Epilepsy. J Pediatr 2018; 194:13-21. [PMID: 29241678 PMCID: PMC5826845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona M Baumer
- Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA.
| | - Aaron L Cardon
- Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Brenda E Porter
- Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
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31
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Endesfelder S, Weichelt U, Schiller C, Winter K, von Haefen C, Bührer C. Caffeine Protects Against Anticonvulsant-Induced Impaired Neurogenesis in the Developing Rat Brain. Neurotox Res 2018; 34:173-187. [PMID: 29417440 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9872-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In preterm infants, phenobarbital is the first-line antiepileptic drug for neonatal seizures while caffeine is used for the treatment of apnea. Data from experimental animals suggest that phenobarbital and other anticonvulsants are toxic for the developing brain, while neuroprotective effects have been reported for caffeine both in newborn rodents and preterm human infants. To characterize the interaction of phenobarbital and caffeine in the hippocampus of the developing rodent brain, we examined the effects of both drugs given separately or together on postnatal neurogenesis after administration to neonatal rats throughout postnatal day (P) 4 to P6. Phenobarbital treatment (50 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease of proliferative capacity in the dentate gyrus. Phenobarbital also reduced expression of neuronal markers (doublecortin (DCX), calretinin, NeuN), neuronal transcription factors (Pax6, Sox2, Tbr1/2, Prox1), and neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3) up to 24 h after the last administration. The phenobarbital-mediated impairment of neurogenesis was largely ameliorated by preconditioning with caffeine (10 mg/kg). In contrast, caffeine alone reduced proliferative capacity and expression of the neuronal markers DCX and NeuN at 6 h, but increased expression of neurotrophins and neuronal transcription factors at 6 and 12 h. These results indicate that administration of phenobarbital during the vulnerable phase of brain development negatively interferes with neuronal development, which can be prevented in part by co-administration of caffeine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Endesfelder
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Weichelt
- Endowed Professorship of Immunotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Campus Golm, Karl-Liebknechtstraße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam - Golm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Schiller
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Winter
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Clarissa von Haefen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Bührer
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
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32
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Ulate-Campos A, Fernández IS. Cognitive and Behavioral Comorbidities: An Unwanted Effect of Antiepileptic Drugs in Children. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2017; 24:320-330. [PMID: 29249512 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and, despite optimally chosen and dosed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), approximately 20%-30% of patients will continue to have seizures. Behavior and cognition are negatively impacted by seizures, but AEDs are also a major contributor to behavioral and cognitive deficits. However, the cognitive and behavioral effect of AEDs in children is insufficiently emphasized in the literature. This review summarizes the cognitive and behavioral effects of AEDs in the pediatric population with the objective of helping pediatricians and pediatric neurologists to select the AEDs with the best profile for their individual patient's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ulate-Campos
- Department of Neurology, National Children's Hospital "Dr. Carlos Saenz Herrera", San José, CR.
| | - Ivan Sánchez Fernández
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Child Neurology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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33
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Abstract
This article reviews the major paradigm shifts that have occurred in the area of the application of clinical and experimental neuropsychology to epilepsy and epilepsy surgery since the founding of the International Neuropsychological Society. The five paradigm shifts discussed include: 1) The neurobiology of cognitive disorders in epilepsy - expanding the landscape of syndrome-specific neuropsychological impairment; 2) pathways to comorbidities: bidirectional relationships and their clinical implications; 3) discovering quality of life: The concept, its quantification and applicability; 4) outcomes of epilepsy surgery: challenging conventional wisdom; and 5) Iatrogenic effects of treatment: cognitive and behavioral effects of antiepilepsy drugs. For each area we characterize the status of knowledge, the key developments that have occurred, and how they have altered our understanding of the epilepsies and their management. We conclude with a brief overview of where we believe the field will be headed in the next decade which includes changes in assessment paradigms, moving from characterization of comorbidities to interventions; increasing development of new measures, terminology and classification; increasing interest in neurodegenerative proteins; transitioning from clinical seizure features to modifiable risk factors; and neurobehavioral phenotypes. Overall, enormous progress has been made over the lifespan of the INS with promise of ongoing improvements in understanding of the cognitive and behavioral complications of the epilepsies and their treatment. (JINS, 2017, 23, 791-805).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Hermann
- 1Department of Neurology,University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health,Madison Wisconsin
| | - David W Loring
- 2Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics,Emory University School of Medicine,Atlanta Georgia
| | - Sarah Wilson
- 3Department of Psychology,Melbourne University,Melbourne,Australia
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34
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Shellhaas RA, Berg AT, Grinspan ZM, Wusthoff CJ, Millichap JJ, Loddenkemper T, Coryell J, Saneto RP, Chu CJ, Joshi SM, Sullivan JE, Knupp KG, Kossoff EH, Keator C, Wirrell EC, Mytinger JR, Valencia I, Massey S, Gaillard WD. Initial Treatment for Nonsyndromic Early-Life Epilepsy: An Unexpected Consensus. Pediatr Neurol 2017; 75:73-79. [PMID: 28807611 PMCID: PMC5863237 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are no evidence-based guidelines on the preferred approach to treating early-life epilepsy. We examined initial therapy selection in a contemporary US cohort of children with newly diagnosed, nonsyndromic, early-life epilepsy (onset before age three years). METHODS Seventeen pediatric epilepsy centers participated in a prospective cohort study of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy with onset under 36 months of age. Details regarding demographics, seizure types, and initial medication selections were obtained from medical records. RESULTS About half of the 495 enrolled children with new-onset, nonsyndromic epilepsy were less than 12 months old at the time of diagnosis (n = 263, 53%) and about half (n = 260, 52%) had epilepsy with focal features. Of 464 who were treated with monotherapy, 95% received one of five drugs: levetiracetam (n = 291, 63%), oxcarbazepine (n = 67, 14%), phenobarbital (n = 57, 12%), topiramate (n = 16, 3.4%), and zonisamide (n = 13, 2.8%). Phenobarbital was prescribed first for 50 of 163 (31%) infants less than six months old versus seven of 300 (2.3%) of children six months or older (P < 0.0001). Although the first treatment varied across study centers (P < 0.0001), levetiracetam was the most commonly prescribed medication regardless of epilepsy presentation (focal, generalized, mixed/uncertain). Between the first and second treatment choices, 367 (74%) of children received levetiracetam within the first year after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Without any specific effort, the pediatric epilepsy community has developed an unexpectedly consistent approach to initial treatment selection for early-life epilepsy. This suggests that a standard practice is emerging and could be utilized as a widely acceptable basis of comparison in future drug studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée A. Shellhaas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Communications should be addressed to: Dr. Shellhaas; C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, room 12-733, 1540 E. Hospital Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-4279.
| | - Anne T. Berg
- Epilepsy Center, Lurie Children’s Hospital; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zachary M. Grinspan
- Weill Cornell Medicine; New York Presbyterian Hospital; Health Information Technology Evaluation Collaborative, New York, New York
| | | | - John J. Millichap
- Epilepsy Center, Lurie Children’s Hospital; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tobias Loddenkemper
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jason Coryell
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Russell P. Saneto
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Catherine J. Chu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sucheta M. Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joseph E. Sullivan
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Kelly G. Knupp
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Eric H. Kossoff
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cynthia Keator
- Cook Children’s Health Care System, Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | | | - John R. Mytinger
- Department of Pediatrics, the Ohio State University; Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ignacio Valencia
- Section of Neurology, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shavonne Massey
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - William D. Gaillard
- Department of Neurology, Children’s National Health System, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
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Fitzgerald MP, Kessler SK, Abend NS. Early discontinuation of antiseizure medications in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Epilepsia 2017; 58:1047-1053. [PMID: 28401998 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) managed with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) often experience acute symptomatic seizures, prompting treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs). Because the risk of seizure occurrence after hospital discharge is unknown, the optimal ASM treatment duration is unclear. We aimed to determine the risk of seizure occurrence after hospital discharge and the impact of ASM treatment duration on this outcome. METHODS We performed a single-center, retrospective study of consecutive neonates with HIE managed with TH who received ASMs for acute symptomatic seizures from June 2010 through December 2014. Neonates were monitored with continuous electroencephalography (EEG) during TH. RESULTS Follow-up data were available for 59 (82%) of 72 neonates who survived to discharge, with a median follow-up period of 19 months (interquartile range [IQR] 11-25). Acute symptomatic seizures occurred in 35 neonates (59%), including electrographic seizures in 21 neonates (36%). ASMs were continued upon discharge in 17 (49%) of 35 neonates. Seizures occurred in follow-up in four neonates (11%). No patient for whom ASMs were discontinued prior to discharge experienced seizures during the follow-up period. SIGNIFICANCE Among neonates with HIE, seizures after hospital discharge were rare in those with acute symptomatic seizures and did not occur in neonates without acute symptomatic seizures. ASM discontinuation prior to discharge did not increase the risk of seizures during the follow-up period, suggesting that ASMs may be discontinued in many neonates prior to discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Fitzgerald
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Sudha Kilaru Kessler
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Nicholas S Abend
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.,Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
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36
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Changing antiepileptic drug use for seizures in US neonatal intensive care units from 2005 to 2014. J Perinatol 2017; 37:296-300. [PMID: 27831551 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2016.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neonatal seizures are a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit and are frequently treated with antiepileptic drugs. Limited data exist on current or changing antiepileptic drug use for seizures in the neonatal intensive care unit.We sought to describe trends of antiepileptic drug exposure in a large volume of US neonatal intensive care unit from 2005 to 2014 and we hypothesized increasing levetiracetam exposure over the 10-year study period. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of infants from the Pediatrix Medical Group Clinical Data Warehouse, a large, multicenter, deidentified data set. Data were analyzed for trends in 2-year time periods. Our cohort included infants with a diagnosis of seizures who received an antiepileptic drug that were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2014. RESULTS Among 778 395 infants from 341 facilities, we identified 9134 infants with a seizure diagnosis who received an antiepileptic drug. Phenobarbital was used in 98% of the cohort. From 2005-2006 to 2013-2014 phenobarbital exposure declined from 99 to 96% (P<0.001), phenytoin exposure decreased from 15 to 11% (P<0.001) and levetiracetam exposure increased 10-fold from 1.4 to 14% (P<0.001). Overall, <1% of infants were exposed to carbamazepine, lidocaine or topiramate. CONCLUSIONS Infants with seizures were overwhelmingly exposed to phenobarbital, despite a significant increase in levetiracetam exposure. The use of phenytoin declined and has been surpassed by levetiracetam as the second most widely used antiepileptic in the neonatal intensive care unit. These changes in antiepileptic drug usage patterns have occurred in the absence of novel efficacy data in neonates.
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37
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Offringa M, Newton R, Cozijnsen MA, Nevitt SJ. Prophylactic drug management for febrile seizures in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 2:CD003031. [PMID: 28225210 PMCID: PMC6464693 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003031.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures occurring in a child older than one month during an episode of fever affect 2% to 4% of children in Great Britain and the United States and recur in 30%. Rapid-acting antiepileptics and antipyretics given during subsequent fever episodes have been used to avoid the adverse effects of continuous antiepileptic drugs. OBJECTIVES To evaluate primarily the effectiveness and safety of antiepileptic and antipyretic drugs used prophylactically to treat children with febrile seizures; but also to evaluate any other drug intervention where there was a sound biological rationale for its use. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2016, Issue 7); MEDLINE (1966 to July 2016); Embase (1966 to July 2016); Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) (July 2016). We imposed no language restrictions. We also contacted researchers in the field to identify continuing or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Trials using randomised or quasi-randomised participant allocation that compared the use of antiepileptic, antipyretic or other plausible agents with each other, placebo or no treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors (RN and MO) independently applied predefined criteria to select trials for inclusion and extracted the predefined relevant data, recording methods for randomisation, blinding and exclusions. For the 2016 update a third author (MC) checked all original inclusions, data analyses, and updated the search. Outcomes assessed were seizure recurrence at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months and at age 5 to 6 years in the intervention and non-intervention groups, and adverse medication effects. We assessed the presence of publication bias using funnel plots. MAIN RESULTS We included 40 articles describing 30 randomised trials with 4256 randomised participants. We analysed 13 interventions of continuous or intermittent prophylaxis and their control treatments. Methodological quality was moderate to poor in most studies. We found no significant benefit for intermittent phenobarbitone, phenytoin, valproate, pyridoxine, ibuprofen or zinc sulfate versus placebo or no treatment; nor for diclofenac versus placebo followed by ibuprofen, acetaminophen or placebo; nor for continuous phenobarbitone versus diazepam, intermittent rectal diazepam versus intermittent valproate, or oral diazepam versus clobazam.There was a significant reduction of recurrent febrile seizures with intermittent diazepam versus placebo or no treatment, with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 0.85 at six months), RR of 0.69 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.84) at 12 months, RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.60) at 18 months, RR 0.73 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) at 24 months, RR 0.58 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.85) at 36 months, RR 0.36 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.89) at 48 months, with no benefit at 60 to 72 months. Phenobarbitone versus placebo or no treatment reduced seizures at 6, 12 and 24 months but not at 18 or 72 month follow-up (RR 0.59 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.83) at 6 months; RR 0.54 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.70) at 12 months; and RR 0.69 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.89) at 24 months). Intermittent clobazam compared to placebo at six months resulted in a RR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.64), an effect found against an extremely high (83.3%) recurrence rate in the controls, which is a result that needs replication.The recording of adverse effects was variable. Lower comprehension scores in phenobarbitone-treated children were found in two studies. In general, adverse effects were recorded in up to 30% of children in the phenobarbitone-treated group and in up to 36% in benzodiazepine-treated groups. We found evidence of publication bias in the meta-analyses of comparisons for phenobarbitone versus placebo (eight studies) at 12 months but not at six months (six studies); and valproate versus placebo (four studies) at 12 months, with too few studies to identify publication bias for the other comparisons.Most of the reviewed antiepileptic drug trials are of a methodological quality graded as low or very low. Methods of randomisation and allocation concealment often do not meet current standards; and treatment versus no treatment is more commonly seen than treatment versus placebo, leading to obvious risks of bias. Trials of antipyretics and zinc were of higher quality. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found reduced recurrence rates for children with febrile seizures for intermittent diazepam and continuous phenobarbitone, with adverse effects in up to 30%. Apparent benefit for clobazam treatment in one trial needs to be replicated to be judged reliable. Given the benign nature of recurrent febrile seizures, and the high prevalence of adverse effects of these drugs, parents and families should be supported with adequate contact details of medical services and information on recurrence, first aid management and, most importantly, the benign nature of the phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Offringa
- Hospital for Sick ChildrenChild Health Evaluative Sciences555 University AvenueTorontoONCanadaM5G 1X8
| | - Richard Newton
- Royal Manchester Children's HospitalDepartment of Paediatric NeurologyHospital RoadPendleburyManchesterUKM27 4HA
| | - Martinus A Cozijnsen
- Erasmus MC ‐ Sophia Children's HospitalPediatric Gastroenterology's‐Gravendijkwal 230 3015 CERotterdamNetherlands3000 CB
| | - Sarah J Nevitt
- University of LiverpoolDepartment of BiostatisticsBlock F, Waterhouse Building1‐5 Brownlow HillLiverpoolUKL69 3GL
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Shellhaas RA, Chang T, Wusthoff CJ, Soul JS, Massey SL, Chu CJ, Cilio MR, Bonifacio SL, Abend NS, Tsuchida TN, Glass HC. Treatment Duration After Acute Symptomatic Seizures in Neonates: A Multicenter Cohort Study. J Pediatr 2017; 181:298-301.e1. [PMID: 27829512 PMCID: PMC5322461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to define determinants of duration of treatment for acute symptomatic neonatal seizures in a contemporary multicenter observational cohort study. After adjustment for potential confounders, only study site and seizure etiology remained significantly associated with the chance of continuing antiseizure medication after discharge to home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée A. Shellhaas
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Taeun Chang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s National Health System, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | | | - Janet S. Soul
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Shavonne L. Massey
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Catherine J. Chu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - M. Roberta Cilio
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sonia L. Bonifacio
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Nicholas S. Abend
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tammy N. Tsuchida
- Department of Neurology, Children’s National Health System, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Hannah C. Glass
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Frankel S, Medvedeva N, Gutherz S, Kulick C, Kondratyev A, Forcelli PA. Comparison of the long-term behavioral effects of neonatal exposure to retigabine or phenobarbital in rats. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 57:34-40. [PMID: 26921596 PMCID: PMC4828307 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticonvulsant drugs, when given during vulnerable periods of brain development, can have long-lasting consequences on nervous system function. In rats, the second postnatal week approximately corresponds to the late third trimester of gestation/early infancy in humans. Exposure to phenobarbital during this period has been associated with deficits in learning and memory, anxiety-like behavior, and social behavior, among other domains. Phenobarbital is the most common anticonvulsant drug used in neonatology. Several other drugs, such as lamotrigine, phenytoin, and clonazepam, have also been reported to trigger behavioral changes. A new generation anticonvulsant drug, retigabine, has not previously been evaluated for long-term effects on behavior. Retigabine acts as an activator of KCNQ channels, a mechanism that is unique among anticonvulsants. Here, we examined the effects retigabine exposure from postnatal day (P)7 to P14 on behavior in adult rats. We compared these effects with those produced by phenobarbital (as a positive control) and saline (as a negative control). Motor behavior was assessed by using the open field and rotarod, anxiety-like behavior by the open field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark transition task, and learning/memory by the passive avoidance task; social interactions were assessed in same-treatment pairs, and nociceptive sensitivity was assessed via the tail-flick assay. Motor behavior was unaltered by exposure to either drug. We found that retigabine exposure and phenobarbital exposure both induced increased anxiety-like behavior in adult animals. Phenobarbital, but not retigabine, exposure impaired learning and memory. These drugs also differed in their effects on social behavior, with retigabine-exposed animals displaying greater social interaction than phenobarbital-exposed animals. These results indicate that neonatal retigabine induces a subset of behavioral alterations previously described for other anticonvulsant drugs and extend our knowledge of drug-induced behavioral teratogenesis to a new mechanism of anticonvulsant action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Frankel
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Natalia Medvedeva
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Samuel Gutherz
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Catherine Kulick
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Alexei Kondratyev
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Patrick A Forcelli
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, United States.
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40
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Abstract
Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs affect the menstrual cycle, aspects of contraception, reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause through alteration of sex steroid hormone pathways. Sex steroid hormones often have an effect on seizure frequency and may alter the level of some antiepileptic drugs. Approximately one-third of women experience an increase in perimenstrual and/or periovulatory seizure frequency. Some women experience an increase in seizure frequency during pregnancy. Balancing maternal seizure control and the risk of congenital malformations associated with fetal antiepileptic drug exposure may be challenging. Some antiepileptic drugs are associated with cognitive and behavioral teratogenesis and should be avoided if possible during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naymeé J Vélez-Ruiz
- Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, University of Miami, 1120 Northwest, 14th Street, Suite 1329, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Page B Pennell
- Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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41
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Cognitive deterioration in adult epilepsy: Does accelerated cognitive ageing exist? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 64:1-11. [PMID: 26900650 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A long-standing concern has been whether epilepsy contributes to cognitive decline or so-called 'epileptic dementia'. Although global cognitive decline is generally reported in the context of chronic refractory epilepsy, it is largely unknown what percentage of patients is at risk for decline. This review is focused on the identification of risk factors and characterization of aberrant cognitive trajectories in epilepsy. Evidence is found that the cognitive trajectory of patients with epilepsy over time differs from processes of cognitive ageing in healthy people, especially in adulthood-onset epilepsy. Cognitive deterioration in these patients seems to develop in a 'second hit model' and occurs when epilepsy hits on a brain that is already vulnerable or vice versa when comorbid problems develop in a person with epilepsy. Processes of ageing may be accelerated due to loss of brain plasticity and cognitive reserve capacity for which we coin the term 'accelerated cognitive ageing'. We believe that the concept of accelerated cognitive ageing can be helpful in providing a framework understanding global cognitive deterioration in epilepsy.
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42
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Duerden EG, Guo T, Dodbiba L, Chakravarty MM, Chau V, Poskitt KJ, Synnes A, Grunau RE, Miller SP. Midazolam dose correlates with abnormal hippocampal growth and neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. Ann Neurol 2016; 79:548-59. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.24601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma G. Duerden
- Department of Paediatrics; Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Paediatrics; Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
| | - Lorin Dodbiba
- Department of Paediatrics; Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
| | - M. Mallar Chakravarty
- Cerebral Imaging Centre; Douglas Mental Health University Institute; Montreal Quebec
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering; McGill University; Montreal Quebec
| | - Vann Chau
- Department of Paediatrics; Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
- University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
| | - Kenneth J. Poskitt
- Department of Pediatrics; University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, and Child & Family Research Institute; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Anne Synnes
- Department of Pediatrics; University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, and Child & Family Research Institute; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Ruth E. Grunau
- Department of Pediatrics; University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, and Child & Family Research Institute; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Steven P. Miller
- Department of Paediatrics; Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
- University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario
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Arndt DH, Goodkin HP, Giza CC. Early Posttraumatic Seizures in the Pediatric Population. J Child Neurol 2016; 31:46-56. [PMID: 25564481 DOI: 10.1177/0883073814562249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Early posttraumatic seizure is a paramount clinical issue in pediatric traumatic brain injury patients as it is a common occurrence, yet an understudied entity at present. Recent literature recognizes several posttraumatic seizure subtypes based on time of presentation and the underlying pathophysiology: impact, immediate, delayed early, and late/posttraumatic epilepsy. Appropriate classification of pediatric posttraumatic seizure subtypes can be helpful for appropriate management and prognosis. This review will focus on early posttraumatic seizures, and the subtypes of early posttraumatic seizure. Incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, seizure semiology, status epilepticus, management, risk of recurrence, and prognosis were reviewed. The integration of continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring into pediatric traumatic brain injury management may hold the key to better characterizing and understanding pediatric early posttraumatic seizures. Topics for future research pertaining to pediatric early posttraumatic seizure are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Arndt
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Beaumont Children's Hospital & Beaumont Health System Neurosciences, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA
| | - Howard P Goodkin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, UVA Health System, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Christopher C Giza
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Mattel Children's Hospital-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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44
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Abstract
Many studies investigating cognitive outcomes in children of women with epilepsy report an increased risk of mental impairment. Verbal scores on neuropsychometric measures may be selectively more involved. While a variety of factors contribute to the cognitive problems of children of women with epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) appear to play a major role. The mechanisms by which AEDs affect neurodevelopmental outcomes remain poorly defined. Animal models suggest that AED-induced apoptosis, altered neurotransmitter environment, and impaired synaptogenesis are some of the mechanisms responsible for cognitive and behavioral teratogenesis. AEDs that are known to induce apoptosis, such as valproate, appear to affect children's neurodevelopment in a more severe fashion. Fetal valproate exposure has dose-dependent associations with reduced cognitive abilities across a range of domains, and these appear to persist at least until the age of 6. Some studies have shown neurodevelopmental deficiencies associated with the use of phenobarbital and possibly phenytoin. So far, most of the investigations available suggest that fetal exposures to lamotrigine or levetiracetam are safer with regard to cognition when compared with other AEDs. Studies on carbamazepine show contradictory results, but most information available suggests that major poor cognitive outcomes should not be attributed to this medication. Overall, children exposed to polytherapy prenatally appear to have worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes compared with children exposed to monotherapy, and with the unexposed. There is an increase risk of neurodevelopmental deficits when polytherapy involves the use of valproate versus other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naymee J Velez-Ruiz
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, 1365 Clifton Rd., Clinic A, 2nd Fl., Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA,
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Hart AR, Pilling EL, Alix JJP. Neonatal seizures-part 2: Aetiology of acute symptomatic seizures, treatments and the neonatal epilepsy syndromes. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2015; 100:226-32. [PMID: 25824891 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Most neonatal epileptic seizures are provoked by an underlying condition or problem-'acute symptomatic seizures'. However, a few neonatal epilepsy syndromes exist, and these are defined by the constellation of seizure types, EEG findings and family history seen. Making an accurate diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome can help direct investigations, treatment options and provide prognostic information. This article discusses the investigative approach and treatments for neonatal epileptic seizures, including the neonatal epilepsy syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Hart
- Department of Paediatric and Neonatal Neurology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ryegate Children's Centre, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Department of Neonatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Pilling
- Department of Neonatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - James J P Alix
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
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46
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Liu Y, Wang XY, Li D, Yang L, Huang SP. Short-term use of antiepileptic drugs is neurotoxic to the immature brain. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:599-604. [PMID: 26170821 PMCID: PMC4424753 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.155434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the long-term use of antiepileptic drugs can cause nervous system damage. However, short-term antiepileptic drug treatment is frequently given to infants, especially neonates, to control seizure. Whether the short-term use of antiepileptic drugs is neurotoxic remains unclear. In the present study, immature rats, 3–21 days of age, were intraperitoneally injected with phenobarbital and/or topiramate for 3 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining revealed that phenobarbital and topiramate, individually or in combination, were cytotoxic to hippocampal CA1 neurons and inhibited the expression of GluR1 and NR2B, excitatory glutamate receptor subunits. Furthermore, the combination of the two drugs caused greater damage than either drug alone. The results demonstrate that the short-term use of antiepileptic drugs damages neurons in the immature brain and that the combined use of antiepileptic drugs exacerbates damage. Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider the potential neurotoxic risk associated with the combined use of antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of seizure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xue-Ying Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Shao-Ping Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
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Caruso A, Lazdowsky L, Rabner J, Haberman J, LeBel A. Butalbital and pediatric headache: stay off the downward path. Headache 2014; 55:327-30. [PMID: 25532552 DOI: 10.1111/head.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite limited evidence from the literature surrounding safety or efficacy, butalbital-containing medicines (BCMs) have maintained their rank as "go-to" prescribed migraine and headache relief drugs in the United States, despite bans on these barbiturates in Germany and other European countries. Providers at the Pediatric Headache Program at Boston Children's Hospital recommend that clinicians prescribe triptan-based medications instead of BCMs, given the known negative side effects of BCMs on the general population, and the uncertain longitudinal trajectory of BCMs on developing brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Caruso
- Pediatric Headache Program, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Waltham, MA, USA
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Gutherz SB, Kulick CV, Soper C, Kondratyev A, Gale K, Forcelli PA. Brief postnatal exposure to phenobarbital impairs passive avoidance learning and sensorimotor gating in rats. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 37:265-9. [PMID: 25112558 PMCID: PMC4170015 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Phenobarbital is the most commonly utilized drug for the treatment of neonatal seizures. However, mounting preclinical evidence suggests that even brief exposure to phenobarbital in the neonatal period can induce neuronal apoptosis, alterations in synaptic development, and long-lasting changes in behavioral functions. In the present report, we treated neonatal rat pups with phenobarbital and evaluated behavior in adulthood. Pups were treated initially with a loading dose (80 mg/kg) on postnatal day (P)7 and with a lower dose (40 mg/kg) on P8 and P9. We examined sensorimotor gating (prepulse inhibition), passive avoidance, and conditioned place preference for cocaine when the animals reached adulthood. Consistent with our previous reports, we found that three days of neonatal exposure to phenobarbital significantly impaired prepulse inhibition compared with vehicle-exposed control animals. Using a step-though passive avoidance paradigm, we found that animals exposed to phenobarbital as neonates and tested as adults showed significant deficits in passive avoidance retention compared with matched controls, indicating impairment in associative memory and/or recall. Finally, we examined place preference conditioning in response to cocaine. Phenobarbital exposure did not alter the normal conditioned place preference associated with cocaine exposure. Our findings expand the profile of behavioral toxicity induced by phenobarbital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel B. Gutherz
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Catherine V. Kulick
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Colin Soper
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Alexei Kondratyev
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Karen Gale
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Patrick A. Forcelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007,Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007
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Impact of transient acute hypoxia on the developing mouse EEG. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 68:37-46. [PMID: 24636798 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxemic events are common in sick preterm and term infants and represent the most common cause of seizures in the newborn period. Neonatal seizures often lack clinical correlates and are only recognized by electroencephalogram (EEG). The mechanisms leading from a hypoxic/ischemic insult to acute seizures in neonates remain poorly understood. Further, the effects of hypoxia on EEG at various developmental stages have not been fully characterized in neonatal animals, in part due to technical challenges. We evaluated the impact of hypoxia on neonatal mouse EEG to define periods of increased susceptibility to seizures during postnatal development. Hippocampal and cortical electrodes were implanted stereotaxically in C57BL/6 mice from postnatal age 3 (P3) to P15. Following recovery, EEG recordings were obtained during baseline, acute hypoxia (4% FiO2 for 4min) and reoxygenation. In baseline recordings, maturation of EEG was characterized by the appearance of a more continuous background pattern that replaced alternating high and low amplitude activity. Clinical seizures during hypoxia were observed more frequently in younger animals (100% P3-4, 87.5% P5-6, 93% P7-8, 83% P9-10, 33% P11-12, 17% P15, r(2)=0.81) and also occurred at higher FiO2 in younger animals (11.2±1.1% P3-P6 vs. 8.9±0.8% P7-12, p<0.05). Background attenuation followed the initial hypoxemic seizure; progressive return to baseline during reoxygenation was observed in survivors. Electrographic seizures without clinical manifestations were observed during reoxygenation, again more commonly in younger animals (83% P3-4, 86% P5-6, 75% P7-8, 71% P9-10, 20% P11-12, r(2)=0.82). All P15 animals died with this duration and degree of hypoxia. Post-ictal abnormalities included burst attenuation and post-anoxic myoclonus and were more commonly seen in older animals. In summary, neonatal mice exposed to brief and severe hypoxia followed by rapid reoxygenation reliably develop seizures and the response to hypoxia varies with postnatal age and maturation.
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Wilmshurst JM, Kakooza-Mwesige A, Newton CR. The challenges of managing children with epilepsy in Africa. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2014; 21:36-41. [PMID: 24655403 PMCID: PMC5496661 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Children with epilepsy who reside in the African continent are faced with some of the greatest challenges of receiving adequate care. The burden of disease is exacerbated by the high incidence of acquired causes and the large treatment gap. Skilled teams to identify and care for children with epilepsy are lacking. Many patients are managed through psychiatric services, thus potentially compounding the stigma associated with the condition. Little data exist to assess the true proportion of comorbidities suffered by children with epilepsy, the assumption is that this is high, further aggravated by delayed interventions and adverse responses to some of the more commonly used antiepileptic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mulago Hospital/College of Health Sciences, Makere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles R Newton
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kenya Medical Research, Institute and Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya; Neurosciences Unit, UCL-Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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