Topiramate for the treatment of neonatal seizures.

Abstract

Therapeutic options for treating neonatal seizures, such as phenobarbital and phenytoin, lack efficacy and are potentially harmful to the developing brain. Topiramate appears effective as both an antiseizure and neuroprotective agent in animal models of newborn brain injury. Although topiramate is a common add-on agent in newborns, its use in this population has not yet been reported. We performed a retrospective cohort study of clinical topiramate use in newborns with acute symptomatic seizures that were refractory to standard agents. In four of six newborns, apparent reduction or no further seizures occurred. None of the children experienced side effects resulting in discontinuation of the drug, either during the hospital admission or after discharge. Prospective studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of topiramate for both seizures and neuroprotection will be important in determining whether it deserves widespread use in clinical practice.

• Authors: Hannah C Glass, Chantal Poulin, Michael I Shevell
• Journal: Pediatric neurology (Pediatr Neurol) Vol. 44 Issue 6 Pg. 439-42 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1873-5150 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21555055 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Topiramate
• Fructose

Topics

• Age Factors
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Fructose (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Patient Admission
• Patient Discharge
• Retrospective Studies
• Seizures (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Topiramate
• Treatment Outcome