ArticleThe journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG
Effectiveness of Levetiracetam as a First-Line Anticonvulsant for Neonatal Seizures.
Article in The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam vs. Phenobarbital for Neonatal Seizures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Frontiers in neurology · 2021Pooled it
- Article
- Efficacy and safety of intravenous Levetiracetam as first-line treatment for neonatal clinical seizures: A single-center study (2021-2023).eNeurologicalSci · 2025Article
- Effects of plateau hypoxia on pharmacokinetic parameters and cerebral-blood distribution of levetiracetam in rats.Zhong nan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical sciences · 2023Article
- Treating Seizures after Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Current Controversies and Future Directions.International journal of molecular sciences · 2021Review
- Levetiracetam Compared to Phenobarbital as a First Line Therapy for Neonatal Seizures: An Unexpected Influence of Benzodiazepines on Seizure Response.The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveOptimal treatment for neonatal seizures remains unclear, and management among US hospitals is highly varied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of levetiracetam as a first-line treatment for seizures in a neonatal population.
methodsA single-center, retrospective review of neonates at a tertiary medical center who received levetiracetam as a first-line agent after benzodiazepines for seizure control between 2015 and 2017 was conducted. Chart review was completed to analyze patient and treatment characteristics. The primary outcome was seizure control, defined as clinical seizure cessation and video electroencephalogram resolution, with no new seizures documented prior to discharge.
resultsA total of 36 patients met inclusion criteria. Seventeen patients (47%) had seizure control after intravenous levetiracetam as monotherapy. Eighteen patients required a second anticonvulsant, of which 13 (72%) had seizure control. In total, 30 patients (83%) had seizure control with levetiracetam monotherapy or combination therapy of levetiracetam plus fosphenytoin or phenobarbital.
conclusionsLevetiracetam monotherapy provided seizure control in about 50% of the patients reviewed. Overall, seizure control was observed in 83% of the study population that received either levetiracetam monotherapy or combination therapy of levetiracetam plus fosphenytoin or phenobarbital as a second-line agent. Further studies are warranted to directly compare historical therapies with levetiracetam for neonatal seizure control.
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