Catibusic FH, Uzicanin S, Salihbegovic EV, Huseinbegovic Z. Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Childhood Epilepsies.
Med Arch 2024;
78:122-126. [PMID:
38566869 PMCID:
PMC10983095 DOI:
10.5455/medarh.2024.78.122-126]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Levetiracetam (LEV) is a broad spectrum second-generation antiepileptic drug (AED).
Objective
The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for childhood epilepsies.
Methods
This is single, tertiary centre observational, prospective study, that included paediatric patients who were treated with levetiracetam at Paediatric hospital University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, during the period of 15 years (2008-2022). Inclusion criteria were: paediatric patients age > 1 month, diagnosed with epilepsy according to International League Against Epilepsy. After the introduction of levetiracetam, each patient has been followed up at least 12 months. According to the outcome the patients were divided into 5 groups: seizure reduction >50%, seizure reduction <50%, complete seizure freedom, the same number of seizures and increased number of seizures. From these groups two intergroups have been formed: responders (seizure reduction >50% and complete seizure freedom) and non-responders (seizure reduction <50%, the same number of seizures and increased number of seizures).
Results
The study enrolled 259 patients (141 female and 118 male), with mean age 7 years (3,0-12.0). Comorbidities were present at 129/259 (49.8%) patients. After 12 months of treatment, 25/259 (9.7%) patients had seizure reduction >50%, 30/259 (11.6%) patients had seizure reduction <50%, 154/259 (56.5%) patients had achieved seizure freedom, 31/259 (12%) patients had same number of seizures, while 19/259 (7.3%) patients had increased number of seizures. Seizure frequency between responders and non-responders, before treatment and after 12 months of treatment was statistically significant (p<0.001).
Discussion
Non responders had the best outcome with ditherapy (30/79; 38%), while responders had the best outcome with monotherapy (161/180;89.4%).
Conclusion
Levetiracetam is efficient antiepileptic drug for different types of epilepsies in childhood, used as mono, di or polytherapy.
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