Managing pediatric epilepsy syndromes with new antiepileptic drugs.
The management of epilepsy in the pediatric patient requires careful evaluation, classification, and pharmacologic treatment. Despite best efforts on the part of clinicians, approximately 25% of children remain refractory to appropriate medical therapies. The development of an improved classification system and the emergence of several new antiepileptic drugs have enabled some progress in this area, specifically in children with disorders such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and infantile spasms, which are notoriously difficult to control. However, limited data are available that define the optimal use of new antiepileptic agents in pediatric patients. To most effectively treat children with epilepsy syndromes, further research must be completed to validate the positive effects described in case reports, open-label clinical trials, and early controlled clinical trials.
Pellock
J M
JM
Division of Child Neurology, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0211, USA. jpellock@gems.vcu.edu
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / 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; D000078308:Tiagabine; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
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