Abstracts

Rationale: To reveal the seizure outcomes and safety according to levetiracetam adjunctive therapy for pediatric epilepsy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 29 pediatric intractable epilepsy (male 19, female 10), who experienced more than two seizures per month, were not controlled by initial combined two or more conventional antiepileptic drugs and could be followed up for over at least 3 months after prescribing levetiracetam from October 2005 to December 2006 at Sanggyepaik hospital. Results: Thirteen patients (44.8%) out of 29 showed a reduction of seizure frequency of more than 50%, and 7 patients (24.1%) more than 75%. Of 14 patients who had generalized epilepsy including 9 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 2 patients with severe myolonic epilepsy in infancy, 1 patient with late-onset infantile spasm, and 2 patients with undetermined generalized epilepsy, 4 patients (28.6%) showed a seizure reduction of more than 50% and 1 patient (7.1%) had a seizure reduction of more than 75%. Of 15 patients who had partial seizure, 9 patients (60.0%) showed a seizure reduction of more than 50% and 6 patients (40.0%) had a seizure reduction of more than 75%. There was significant difference between generalized seizure and partial seizure in more than 75% seizure reduction (Fisher’s exact test, P=0.03). Mean maintenance dosage of drug was 34.8mg/kg per day (range 5.7-71.4mg/kg per day). The number of patients who showed adverse reactions was 9 patients (31.0%) in order of frequency, increased seizure frequency in 4(13.8%) patients who discontinued levetiracetam, sedation in 3 patients, increased secretion and loss of appetite respectively in one patient. Conclusions: Levetiracetam is believed to be an effective, safe anticonvulsant when used as an adjunctive therapy for various refractory childhood epilepsies.