Intravenous levetiracetam terminates refractory status epilepticus in two patients with migrating partial seizures in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of intravenous (IV) levetiracetam in refractory status epilepticus of migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI).


METHODS
IV levetiracetam was infused in two infants, first as a loading dose of 60mg/kg in 30min, then at 30mg/kg twice a day. Both infants were continuously monitored with video-EEG before, during and after the drug trial. Blood count, liver enzymes, serum creatinine, ammonia and lactate blood levels were performed repeatedly before and after the IV levetiracetam administration. Follow-up was of 16 and 10 months.


RESULTS
EEG monitoring allowed the diagnosis of MPSI, showing the typical seizures pattern in both patients. IV levetiracetam was effective in stopping status epilepticus in both infants. Levetiracetam also prevented the recurrence of status epilepticus during follow-up. No adverse reactions were observed during the infusion phase or during follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
MPSI is a newly recognized epileptic syndrome characterized by early onset of intractable partial seizures arisingly independently and sequentially from both hemispheres, migrating from one region of the brain to another and from one hemisphere to another. We report the efficacy of intravenous levetiracetam in resolving refractory status epilepticus in two infants with this new epilepsy syndrome.
Cilio
Maria Roberta
MR
Division of Neurology, Bambino Gesú Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. cilio@opbg.net
Bianchi
Roberto
R
Balestri
Martina
M
Onofri
Alfredo
A
Giovannini
Simona
S
Di Capua
Matteo
M
Vigevano
Federico
F
D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D003401:Creatine / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D020937:Epilepsy, Partial, Sensory / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D000641:Ammonia; D003401:Creatine; D010889:Piracetam