IV drug could be major advance in halting acute seizures in newborns

In retrospective research reported December 7 at the 64th American Epilepsy Society annual meeting, all newborns in a study who received IV levetiracetam for their seizures had achieved acute seizure freedom within 72 hours of being treated. Improvement both in brain wave activity and in clinically observable behavior was seen in 86 percent of newborns in the study within an hour after the initial dosing.

Researchers at Scott & White Hospital / Texas A & M Health Science Center in Temple, TX, reviewed the charts of all term neonates (n=22) treated between January 2007 and December 2009. No seizures were recorded while on levetiracetam in 32 percent of the neonates after the initial dosing. Acute seizure freedom was seen in 64 percent within 24 hours, rising to 86 percent at 48 hours, and 100 percent at 72 hours. (Abstract 2.163)

All of the newborns were switched to oral levetiracetam and, of those, 81 percent were discharged home on levetiracetam monotherapy. No major immediate adverse side effects were reported during the follow up of two to six months.

Results of this study are based on a small sample and need to be confirmed by additional research. If confirmed, however, thousands of babies each year might be saved from a future with epilepsy and/or other neurological deficits.