Research Article

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants

Volume: 4 Number: 5 May 1, 2020
TR EN

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants

Abstract

Aim: Levetiracetam (LEV) is increasingly being used to treat seizures in the neonatal period. Data about using LEV in extremely preterm infants with seizures is insufficient and limited with only a handful studies. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LEV in the treatment of seizures in extremely preterm infants.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on extremely premature newborns, those who were born ≤28 weeks of gestational age, and took their first intravenous dose of levetiracetam due to neonatal seizure before their 44th gestational week between September 2017-February 2019. Loading and maintenance dosage of LEV, previously used antiepileptic medications, response to treatment and side effects of LEV were recorded.
Results: Twenty extremely preterm neonates (9 males and 11 females) who received LEV were evaluated. Gestational ages ranged from 23 to 28 weeks, with a median of 26.5 weeks. Birth weights ranged from 520-1210 gr and 15 infants (75%) had extremely low birth weights. For the treatment of seizures, 12 patients (60 %) were initially started on levetiracetam as first-line therapy and eight patients (40%) were administered levetiracetam as a second or third-line antiepileptic drug. The efficiency of seizure control with LEV was 60 % (12/20) in all patients. The median LEV dose at the time seizure control was achieved was 40 mg/kg. No side effects were observed due to LEV treatment.
Conclusion: This study shows that LEV can be efficient and safe for seizure management in extremely preterm infants. Seizure control was better achieved when LEV was given as the first-line antiepileptic medication in extremely preterm infants.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Intensive Care

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 1, 2020

Submission Date

April 21, 2020

Acceptance Date

May 30, 2020

Published in Issue

Year 2020 Volume: 4 Number: 5

APA
Mert, M. K., & Tekin Orgun, L. (2020). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants. Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 4(5), 394-399. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.724986
AMA
1.Mert MK, Tekin Orgun L. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants. J Surg Med. 2020;4(5):394-399. doi:10.28982/josam.724986
Chicago
Mert, Mustafa Kurthan, and Leman Tekin Orgun. 2020. “Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam Treatment for Neonatal Seizures in Extremely Preterm Infants”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 4 (5): 394-99. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.724986.
EndNote
Mert MK, Tekin Orgun L (May 1, 2020) Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 4 5 394–399.
IEEE
[1]M. K. Mert and L. Tekin Orgun, “Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants”, J Surg Med, vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 394–399, May 2020, doi: 10.28982/josam.724986.
ISNAD
Mert, Mustafa Kurthan - Tekin Orgun, Leman. “Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam Treatment for Neonatal Seizures in Extremely Preterm Infants”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 4/5 (May 1, 2020): 394-399. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.724986.
JAMA
1.Mert MK, Tekin Orgun L. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants. J Surg Med. 2020;4:394–399.
MLA
Mert, Mustafa Kurthan, and Leman Tekin Orgun. “Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam Treatment for Neonatal Seizures in Extremely Preterm Infants”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine, vol. 4, no. 5, May 2020, pp. 394-9, doi:10.28982/josam.724986.
Vancouver
1.Mustafa Kurthan Mert, Leman Tekin Orgun. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam treatment for neonatal seizures in extremely preterm infants. J Surg Med. 2020 May 1;4(5):394-9. doi:10.28982/josam.724986

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