The Effect of Topiramate in Treatment of Children with Intractable Epilepsy

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

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ntroduction: 0.5 to 1% of children are epileptic, and 25% of these patients are resistant to therapy. Uncontrolled seizures produce multiple impairments in personal and social life of the patient. Any reduction in seizure number or obviation of them will raise quality of life and can refine educational, occupational and familial situation of the patient. Multiple studies in adults and children have shown efficacy of topiramate as mono or add-on therapy in reduction of seizures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of this drug on intractable epilepsy.
Material and Methods: This study was done as a clinical trial in Pediatric Neurology Clinic of Ghaem Hospital in the year 2005. 24 drug resistant epileptic patients entered the study. In all of them topiramate administered as add-on therapy in a daily dose of 3 mg/kg and increased up to 9 mg/kg, in a therapy period of at least two months. Any change in seizure number, probable side effects of drug consumption, and patients individual data was evaluated and recorded in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables.
Result: Mean of seizure number of patients was 119.95 per month, which reduced to 53.41 after recieving topiramate. In 25% of patients seizures resolved completely and in 20.9% of them no improvement was noted. The results of this study implied the efficacy of topiramate in reduction of seizure number.
Conclusion: Topiramate and other new antiepileptic drugs due to their effectiveness and lesser adverse effects can be used progressively, and in many cases they can be substituted for older antiepileptic agents.

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References

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medical journal of mashhad university of medical sciences
Volume 50, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
July and August 2007
Pages 143-148

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