Reduction of Febrile Seizure Recurrence by Oral Levetiracetam

Aim

To identify a new, safe and effective therapy for preventing febrile seizure recurrence.

Method

• A total of 115 children with a history of two or more episodes of FS were randomly assigned to levetiracetam (LEV) and control (LEV/control ratio = 2:1) groups.
• At the onset of fever, LEV group was orally administered with a dose of 15–30 mg/kg per day twice daily for 1 week.

Outcome Measures

• The primary efficacy variable was seizure frequency associated with febrile events and FS recurrence rate (RR) during 48-week follow-up.
• The second outcome was the cost effectiveness of the two groups.

Results

The FS RR was 14.10% (11 of 78) in the LEV group and 51.35% (19 of 37) in the control group (P < 0.001).

• The FS recurrence/fever episode was 10.14% (15 of 148) in the LEV group and 50.00% (32 of 64) in the control group (P < 0.001).
• A significant difference was observed between two groups in FS recurrence rate and fever episode.
• The cost of LEV group for the prevention of FS recurrence was lower than control group.
• During 48-week follow up period, one patient in LEV group exhibited severe drowsiness. No other side effects were observed in the same patient and in other children

Conclusion

Intermittent oral levetiracetam effectively prevented FS recurrence and reduced wastage of medical resources.

Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2014; 1(3): 171-179