1. Use of Levetiracetam in Neonates in Clinical Practice: A Retrospective Study at a German University Hospital
- Author
-
Steffen Syrbe, Andreas Merkenschlager, Ulrich Thome, Anna J. Dahse, Wieland Kiess, Martina Patrizia Neininger, Michaela Ullmann, Roberto Frontini, Thilo Bertsche, Matthias K. Bernhard, and Astrid Bertsche
- Subjects
Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Levetiracetam ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Gestational Age ,Anticonvulsant therapy ,Hospitals, University ,Seizures ,Germany ,medicine ,Humans ,Retrospective Studies ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Piracetam ,Gestational age ,Retrospective cohort study ,General Medicine ,University hospital ,Clinical Practice ,Treatment Outcome ,Anticonvulsant ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Anticonvulsants ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,Infant, Premature ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Objective We performed a retrospective chart analysis in neonates routinely treated with levetiracetam (LEV) in a university setting. Patients and Methods We assessed clinical characteristics of the included neonates. Documented LEV doses and the duration of treatment were evaluated. To assess LEV effectiveness, we compared the need of any additional anticonvulsant as co- and rescue therapies before and following the initiation of LEV treatment. To assess LEV tolerance, we sought to identify documented adverse drug reactions resulting in a termination of LEV treatment. Results We analyzed a total of 72 neonates receiving LEV with a median gestational age at initiation of LEV treatment of 30 4/7 gestational weeks (min., 24 5/7 /max., 43 0/7 weeks). LEV was applied in target doses of 41.7 mg/kg/d (min., 14.4/max., 106.2 mg/kg/d). Patients received LEV treatment at hospital for a median of 28 days (min., 1/max., 195 days). Additional anticonvulsant therapy decreased a week after LEV treatment was initiated ( p = 0.008). We did not find any cases of terminated LEV treatment resulting from adverse drug reactions. Conclusion Long term use of high LEV doses is rather frequent in immature neonates. Our data indicate good effectiveness and a low risk of adverse drug reactions.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF