Newly treated childhood epilepsy: a prospective study of recurrences and side effects.
Eighty-two newly diagnosed children were started on anticonvulsant therapy and followed prospectively for 12 to 36 months. Compliance was excellent. However, 41% had a recurrent seizure within 6 months of starting therapy despite "adequate" serum levels. Recurrences were least frequent in those with generalized tonic-clonic seizures or those with a single seizure plus epileptiform EEG before treatment. Toxicity screening led to unnecessary drug change in two children. Seven other children had behavioral side effects requiring drug change.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants