Levetiracetam versus (fos)phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis in pediatric patients with intracranial hemorrhage. 2014

Seema Bansal, and Dan Blalock, and Tewodros Kebede, and Nathan P Dean, and Jessica L Carpenter
Departments of Neurology and.

OBJECTIVE Seizure prophylaxis is used in a variety of conditions, including supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). In adults, studies have demonstrated phenytoin as the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis; in children, levetiracetam is often provided due to its favorable side effect profile and pharmacokinetics. This study evaluated the difference in efficacy between these treatment options. METHODS This retrospective review included 126 patients between 1 month and 17 years of age with acute supratentorial ICH; all received seizure prophylaxis. Demographic data and outcome assessments were compared. RESULTS Seizure prophylaxis was provided with (fos)phenytoin in 40 children, levetiracetam in 61 children, and both drugs in 25 patients. Baseline characteristics of the treatment groups were similar, except that more patients treated with (fos)phenytoin had seizures on presentation. Patients treated solely with (fos)phenytoin had a higher probability of early seizures (within 7 days of ICH) compared with those treated only with LVT, controlling for relevant variables including seizures on presentation (OR 24.6, p = 0.002). Patients treated with (fos)phenytoin were more likely to need additional antiepileptic drugs for seizure control (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the incidence of late seizures (> 7 days after ICH) (p = 0.265). Adverse events necessitating a change in therapy were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS Levetiracetam is a reasonable alternative to (fos)phenytoin for prophylaxis of early posthemorrhagic seizures. Levetiracetam and (fos)phenytoin are well tolerated in children. Prospective studies are needed to determine superiority, optimal dosing, and impact on long-term outcomes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D008297 Male Males
D010672 Phenytoin An anticonvulsant that is used to treat a wide variety of seizures. It is also an anti-arrhythmic and a muscle relaxant. The mechanism of therapeutic action is not clear, although several cellular actions have been described including effects on ion channels, active transport, and general membrane stabilization. The mechanism of its muscle relaxant effect appears to involve a reduction in the sensitivity of muscle spindles to stretch. Phenytoin has been proposed for several other therapeutic uses, but its use has been limited by its many adverse effects and interactions with other drugs. Diphenylhydantoin,Fenitoin,Phenhydan,5,5-Diphenylhydantoin,5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione,Antisacer,Difenin,Dihydan,Dilantin,Epamin,Epanutin,Hydantol,Phenytoin Sodium,Sodium Diphenylhydantoinate,Diphenylhydantoinate, Sodium
D010889 Piracetam A compound suggested to be both a nootropic and a neuroprotective agent. 2-Pyrrolidone-N-Acetamide,Avigilen,Axonyl,Cerebroforte,Cerepar N,Ciclofalina,Cuxabrain,Dinagen,Gabacet,Geram,Memo-Puren,Nootrop,Nootropil,Nootropyl,Normabraïn,Piracebral,Piracetam AbZ,Piracetam-RPh,Piracetrop,Pirazetam,Pyracetam,Pyramem,Sinapsan,UCB-6215,Memo Puren,Piracetam RPh,UCB 6215,UCB6215
D011322 Primary Prevention Specific practices for the prevention of disease or mental disorders in susceptible individuals or populations. These include HEALTH PROMOTION, including mental health; protective procedures, such as COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL; and monitoring and regulation of ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS. Primary prevention is to be distinguished from SECONDARY PREVENTION and TERTIARY PREVENTION. Prevention, Primary,Disease Prevention, Primary,Prevention, Primordial,Primordial Prevention,Disease Preventions, Primary,Preventions, Primordial,Primary Disease Prevention,Primary Disease Preventions,Primordial Preventions
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077287 Levetiracetam A pyrrolidinone and acetamide derivative that is used primarily for the treatment of SEIZURES and some movement disorders, and as a nootropic agent. Etiracetam,Etiracetam, (R)-,Etiracetam, R-isomer,Etiracetam, S-isomer,Keppra,UCB 6474,UCB-6474,Ucb L059,Ucb L060,Ucb-L059,Ucb-L060,alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-Pyrrolidineacetamide,Etiracetam, R isomer,Etiracetam, S isomer,R-isomer Etiracetam,S-isomer Etiracetam,UCB6474,UcbL060,alpha ethyl 2 oxo 1 Pyrrolidineacetamide

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