title: Overview of childhood epilepsy and epileptic syndromes and advances in therapy.
abstract: Seizures have a variety of etiologies and manifestations. Descriptions of various epiletic seizures as well as electroencephalographic findings have led to a unifying international classification of epileptic seizures and epilepsy syndromes. The development of this classification system and the emergence of several new antiepiletic drugs have led to progress in the refractory pediatric patient particularly disorders which are traditionally difficult to treat such as infantile spasms and the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. However, there is limited data regarding optimal use in children. The childhood epilepsy syndromes are reviewed as well as the newer antiepileptic drug treatments - felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, tiagabine, topiramate, and zonisamide. Efficacy data and toxicity are discussed from both the adult, and when available, pediatric data.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, Division of Child Neurology, Richmond 23298-0211, USA. ldmorton@hsc.vcu.edu
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pellock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants