| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 12
| Issue : 1 | Page : 24-28 |
Levetiracetam in neonatal seizures as first-line treatment: A prospective study
Raffaele Falsaperla1, Giovanna Vitaliti1, Laura Mauceri1, Catia Romano1, Piero Pavone1, Nazgol Motamed-Gorji2, Nassim Matin3, Riccardo Lubrano4, Giovanni Corsello5
1 Department of Pediatrics, General Paediatrics Operative Unit, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
2 School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
4 Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Nephrology Operative Unit, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
5 Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOUP, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Correspondence Address:
Giovanna Vitaliti
AOU Policlinico-OVE, Via Plebiscito, n. 628, 95100 Catania
Italy
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jpn.JPN_172_16
Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) as first-line treatment of neonatal seizures. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in patients of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Santo Bambino Hospital, University of Catania, Italy, from January to August 2016. A total of 16 neonates with convulsions not associated with major syndromes, which required anticonvulsant therapy, were included and underwent IV LEV at standard doses. Results: All patients responded to treatment, with a variety range of seizure resolution period (from 24 h to 15 days; mean hours: 96 ± 110.95). No patient required a second anticonvulsant therapy. Regarding safety of LEV, no major side-effects were observed. Conclusions: To our knowledge, it is one of the few studies confirming the efficiency of LEV as first-line treatment in seizures of this age group. LEV was effective in resolving seizures and was safely administered in the current study.
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