The study on Levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of levetiracetam monotherapy in children with different types of epilepsies.Methods We prospectively studied 62 cases children with different types of epilepsies receiving Levetiracetam monotherapy.Levetiracetam was administrated at an initial dose of 20 mg/kg twice daily,and the dose was gradually increased by 10 mg/kg daily every two weeks for twelve weeks until reaching maintenance dose of 30-40 mg/kg daily.Patients were monitored closely for 6 month and then followed up for 7 to 24 months with a mean of 12.8 months for the seizure frequency and adverse effects.Results Among total of 62 cases,levetiracetam could achieve complete seizure control in 38 cases(61.3%),and was significantly effective in 8 cases(12.9%),effective in 9 cases(14.5%),ineffective in 4 cases(6.5%) and deleterious in 3 cases(4.8%).The total effective rate was 88.7% and two-year treatment retention rate was 72%.Conclusions Levetiracetam monotherapy is safe and efficacious for children with various types of epilepsy.