title: Use of new antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.
abstract: The management of epilepsy in children requires careful evaluation, classification, and pharmacologic treatment. With classic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), at least 25% of children remain refractory to appropriate therapy. The past decade has allowed the introduction of a number of newer AEDs for treatment of both adults and children with epilepsy. These include felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, and vigabatrin. Emerging information regarding the efficacy of these AEDs in treating childhood epilepsy syndromes suggests advantages for many patients. Limited data are available that define the optimal use of new AEDs in pediatric patients. Further research must be completed to validate the positive effects described in existing clinical trials of the new AEDs in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child Neurology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0211, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pellock
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Appleton
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000078328:Felbamate; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy; D000078308:Tiagabine; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014227:Triazines; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000078328:Felbamate; D000078308:Tiagabine