title: Experience and pharmacokinetics of Levetiracetam in Korean neonates with neonatal seizures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam (LEV) in neonates with seizures and to establish a population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model by using the software NONMEM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 18 neonatal patients with seizures, who were treated with LEV, including 151 serum samples, was performed. The mean loading dose was 20 mg/kg, followed by a mean maintenance dose of 29 mg/kg/day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen neonates (94%) had seizure cessation within 1 week and 16 (84%) remained seizure-free at 30 days under the LEV therapy. The mean serum concentration of LEV was 8.7 µg/mL. Eight samples (5%) were found above the therapeutic range. No serious adverse effects were detected. In the PPK analysis for Korean neonates, the half-life was 9.6 hours; clearance, 0.357 L/hr; and volume of distribution, 4.947 L, showing differences from those in adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LEV is a safe and effective option for the treatment of neonatal seizures with careful therapeutic drug monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Seob
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyungsoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Seon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Eun
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kook In
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Namgung
keywords: Levetiracetam; Neonatal seizure; Pharmacokinetics; Population pharmacokinetics; Safety