The efficacy and side effects of levetiracetam on refractory epilepsy in children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) add-on therapy in children with refractory epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 102 children (56 boys, 46 girls, mean age 96.00 ± 31.15 months) with refractory epilepsy. Patients received LEV as add-on therapy. Changes in seizure frequency and adverse events were observed. Follow-up was conducted at least 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: In total, 46 (45.1%) of the 102 children achieved more than 50% seizure frequency reduction, and 16 (15.6%) of these were seizure free. LEV reduced seizure frequency by at least 50% in 58.3% of patients with partial seizures, in 32.0% of patients with primary generalized seizures, and in 17.6% of patients with both partial and generalized seizures. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that LEV, as add-on therapy, was effective in reducing seizure frequency in a variety of seizure types but seems most effective for partial-onset seizures. LEV was also well-tolerated in children.