Monotherapy with levetiracetam for absence epilepsy in children

VernacularTitle:左乙拉西坦治疗儿童失神癫痫的疗效及安全性观察
Author: Yue HUANG ; Chun WU ; Jianjun WANG ; Liping ZHANG
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Epilepsy,absence; Therapy; Child
From: Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2011;10(12):873-875
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy in children with absence epilepsy.Methods Fifty five children [ 34 males,21 females,aged (8.1 ± 4.8) y ] with typical absence seizures were treated with LEV ( n =25 ) or valproic acid ( VPA,n =30) from Jan 2009 to Jun 2010.Patients were followed up for 1y; the seizure frequency,electroencephalogram (EEG) and side effect were observed at 6th month and 12th month after the initiation of therapy.Results During the follow-up,none had aggravated symptoms of epilepsy.There were no significant differences in seizure frequency(t =0.76,P =0.450; t =0.67,P =0.504),abnormal EEG ( x2 =0.120,P =0.729 ; x2 =0.043,P =0.836 ) and seizure control ( x2 =0.051,P =0.821 ; x2 =0.078,P =0.780) after 6 and 12 months of treatment between two groups.No death or severe side effects were observed; 2 cases (8.0％) in LEV group had mild adverse effect( drowsiness and restlessness)and 2 cases (6.7％ ) in VPA group had weight gain and nausea.Conclusion The results suggest that monotherapy with LEV is effective and safe for treatment of childhood absence epilepsy.