Four-year outcome after early withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs in childhood epilepsy.
Four-year follow-up of children with epilepsy included in a randomized trial of early withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs showed that 51% achieved a terminal remission of at least 2 years without medication and 21% with medication; 15% had seizures during the fourth year. Early medication withdrawal is not recommended as standard practice in children with a rapid response to medication. The authors developed a model to predict outcome if withdrawal is considered.
Geerts
A T
AT
Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Niermeijer
J M F
JM
Peters
A C B
AC
Arts
W F M
WF
Brouwer
O F
OF
Stroink
H
H
Peeters
E A J
EA
van Donselaar
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D013995:Time; D013997:Time Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends
D000927:Anticonvulsants