Levetiracetam in Neonatal Seizures as First-line Treatment: A Prospective Study

Authors

Raffaele Falsaperla, Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Giovanna Vitaliti, Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Laura Mauceri, Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Catia Romano, Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Piero Pavone, Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Nazgol Motamed-Gorji, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nassim Matin, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Riccardo Lubrano, Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Nephrology Operative Unit, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Giovanni Corsello, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOUP, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) as first-line treatment of neonatal seizures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in patients of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Santo Bambino Hospital, University of Catania, Italy, from January to August 2016. A total of 16 neonates with convulsions not associated with major syndromes, which required anticonvulsant therapy, were included and underwent IV LEV at standard doses. RESULTS: All patients responded to treatment, with a variety range of seizure resolution period (from 24 h to 15 days; mean hours: 96 ± 110.95). No patient required a second anticonvulsant therapy. Regarding safety of LEV, no major side-effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, it is one of the few studies confirming the efficiency of LEV as first-line treatment in seizures of this age group. LEV was effective in resolving seizures and was safely administered in the current study.

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Journal of pediatric neurosciences

ISSN

1817-1745

Volume

12

Issue

1

First Page

24

Last Page

28

PubMed ID

28553374

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4103/jpn.JPN_172_16

Recommended Citation

Falsaperla, Raffaele; Vitaliti, Giovanna; Mauceri, Laura; Romano, Catia; Pavone, Piero; Motamed-Gorji, Nazgol; Matin, Nassim; Lubrano, Riccardo; and Corsello, Giovanni, "Levetiracetam in Neonatal Seizures as First-line Treatment: A Prospective Study" (2017). Neurology. 1510.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1510