title: Levetiracetam efficacy in children with epilepsy with electrical status epilepticus in sleep.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epilepsy with electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) is a devastating disease, and we sought to evaluate the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) for the treatment of patients with this epileptic encephalopathy in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data from all patients with ESES who received LEV therapy at our pediatric neurology outpatient clinic between 2007 and 2014 (n=71) were retrospectively analyzed. The LEV dosage was 30-50mg/kg/day. Electroencephalography recordings and neuropsychological evaluations were performed repeatedly for 3-75months after the start of LEV therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five (70%) of 50 patients who had seizures at the start of LEV therapy had a >50% reduction in seizure frequency. Positive response on EEG was found during the first 3-4months of LEV therapy in 32 (45%) of 71 patients, with normalization of EEG in 5 patients. Relapse occurred in 8 (25%) of the initial electrical responders. Hence, 47 patients (66%) still suffered from ESES and only 13 patients regained their baseline level of function at the last follow-up. The response to LEV was significantly associated with ESES duration, age at onset of ESES, and etiology of epilepsy. Although fatigue and anorexia were the primary adverse events, LEV was well-tolerated by all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levetiracetam is safe and may be efficient when used to treat ESES syndrome; however, the efficacy EEG neuropsychological outcomes is limited on the whole.
authors: Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Pediatric Research Institute, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: caifangc@126.com.
authors: Fangcheng
authors: F
authors: Cai
authors: Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Jiang
authors: Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Hu
authors: Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Chenggong
authors: C
authors: Feng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam
keywords: Children; Electrical status epilepticus in sleep; Levetiracetam