Trial reportIndian journal of pediatrics2026
Randomised Controlled Trial on Sodium Valproate and Levetiracetam in Children with New-Onset Epilepsy.
Trial report in Indian journal of pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesTo compare the efficacy of sodium valproate (VPA) and levetiracetam (LEV) as initial maintenance monotherapy in children with new-onset epilepsy.
methodsThis randomised controlled trial was conducted in tertiary pediatric epilepsy and neurology clinics. Children 2-18 y with new-onset epilepsy were enrolled as participants. Patients were prescribed VPA (n = 58) or LEV (n = 58) at 20 mg/kg/d in two doses with increments of 20 mg/kg/d to a maximum of 60 mg/kg/d (Maximum daily dose: VPA 2 g/d and LEV 3 g/d). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved seizure control for three consecutive months. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients who achieved a 50% reduction in seizures from baseline and those who developed side-effects.
resultsA total of 116 patients were analysed using intention-to-treat analysis. There was no difference in the primary outcome between LEV vs. VPA groups [58.6% vs. 65.5%; relative risk (RR) 0.89 (95% CI, 0.67-1.19), p = 0.444]. There was no difference in patients who achieved a 50% seizure reduction from baseline between the two groups (70.7% vs. 70.7%) and side-effect profile (32.8% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.128) other than median (IQR) weight gain (kg), which was significantly lower in the LEV group (1.35, 0.70-1.60) as compared to the VPA group (2.15, 1.40-2.60) (p < 0.001). One patient in the VPA group had Stevens-Johnson syndrome. No mortality occurred.
conclusionsNo difference was noted between sodium valproate and levetiracetam in seizure control. With a favorable side-effect profile, levetiracetam can be safely considered as initial maintenance monotherapy in children with new-onset epilepsy.
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Registered trials
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