Treatment of newly diagnosed pediatric epilepsy: a community-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the patterns and frequency of treatment and use of specific drugs for newly diagnosed pediatric epilepsy.


METHODS
Prospective, community-based study. Children were recruited from physicians in Connecticut from 1993 to 1997.


METHODS
Children aged 1 month through 15 years at the time of their first seizure, who had 2 or more unprovoked seizures, and who were newly diangosed during the recruitment period were eligible.


METHODS
Initiation of treatment at diagnosis and within 1 year after diagnosis of epilepsy.


RESULTS
Of 613 children, 482 (78.6%) were treated at the time of initial diagnosis. By 6 months another 10.3% were treated, and by 12 months 90% of the cohort had been treated. The most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) was carbamazepine (38.8%) followed by sodium valproate (18.4%). Only 1 child received an investigational drug and none received any of the most recently approved drugs as a first AED. Children with idiopathic and secondarily generalized forms of epilepsy were most likely to be treated (90%-100%), whereas children with idiopathic localization-related epilepsy were least likely to be treated (50.8%). Approximately 80% of those with other forms of epilepsy were treated at the time of diagnosis. Use of specific medications reflected current guidelines and recommendations for treatment of specific seizure types and syndromes.


CONCLUSIONS
In Connecticut, approximately 20% of children with epilepsy are not treated at the time of initial diagnosis, and around 10% continue to be untreated after 1 year. This most likely reflects the increased understanding of the nature of pediatric epilepsy and concerns regarding the adverse effects of AEDs. The most commonly used first drugs are carbamazepine and valproate. Follow-up of this cohort may help provide information to guide the use of recently approved AEDs.
Berg
A T
AT
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115, USA. atberg@niu.edu
Levy
S R
SR
Testa
F M
FM
Shinnar
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S
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003237:Connecticut; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants