Retrospective study of the use of levetiracetam in childhood seizure disorders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in a diverse pediatric epilepsy population. A retrospective chart review of 52 consecutive children age 8 months to 16 years who were treated with levetiracetam was performed. The data include patients with partial and generalized seizures, monotherapy, and concomitant antiepileptic drug use. Levetiracetam was dosed to efficacy or unacceptable side effects, with a range of 8 to 315 mg/kg/day. Two patients discontinued levetiracetam prior to assessment of efficacy owing to side effects. Of the remaining 50 patients, 12 had > or =75% seizure reduction, 3 had > or =50% and <75% seizure reduction, 8 had > or =25% and <50% seizure reduction, and 27 had < 25% seizure reduction. A variety of pediatric epilepsy syndromes and seizure types were represented. Adverse events, seen in 17 patients, were determined to be tolerable or resolved over time with continued dosing, dosage reduction, or discontinuation. This open-label, retrospective study of 52 consecutive pediatric patients treated with levetiracetam indicates at least partial efficacy in a variety of pediatric epilepsy syndromes. Tolerability was surprisingly favorable, even at doses far exceeding 40 mg/kg/day.