Han JY, et al. - This study entailed the elucidation of the experience of using levetiracetam (LEV) as the first line anti-seizure medication for preterm infants. The study cohort included preterm infants aged 31.5 ± 1.9 weeks. It was determined that 57% of subjects were seizure-free while given LEV at the end of the first week. Additional anti-seizure medication was not required. As per the outcomes, loading doses of LEV ranged from 40 to 60 mg/kg (mean 56 mg/kg) and the maintenance dose ranged from 20 to 30 mg/kg (mean 23 mg/kg). The inference drawn was that levetiracetam could serve as a good and safe choice for treatment of neonatal seizures in preterm infants.

Methods

• The scheme of this research was a retrospective analysis.
• It included 37 preterm infants who were treated with LEV as the first-line anti-seizure medication.

Results

• It was noted that the mean gestational age of the 37 preterm infants was 31.5 ± 1.9 weeks (range, 26 to 36⁺⁶ weeks).
• A total of 21 infants (57%) appeared to be seizure-free when given LEV at the end of the first week.
• Data did not disclose any additional anti-seizure medication.
• As per the results, the range of loading doses of LEV was from 40 to 60 mg/kg (mean 56 mg/kg) and that of the maintenance dose was from 20 to 30 mg/kg (mean 23 mg/kg).
• It was determined that there were no adverse effects.