TOPIRAMATE FOR REFRACTORY EPILEPSY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: A MULTI-CENTER TRIAL ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND SIDE EFFECTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/41y8ht76Keywords:
Pediatric, Refractory Epilepsy, Topiramate, Seizure ControlAbstract
This paper compared the efficacy and safety of topiramate in young children and infants with refractory epilepsy. A total of 24 children, aged 6 to 60 months, diagnosed with refractory epilepsy were included in the study. Three tertiary hospitals were used to recruit these children and the study protocol was accepted by the ethical committees of all the participating institutions. The first endpoint was the change of seizure frequency, with therapeutic responses categorized as satisfactory (seizure-free or >50% reduction) or unsatisfactory (≤50% reduction or worsening). The study also monitored side effects, including cognitive and physical symptoms, as well as changes in concomitant antiepileptic drug levels, liver function, and overall health. The results showed that 50% of the participants had a satisfactory response, with 21% achieving complete seizure freedom. The highest efficacy was observed in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, followed by those with cryptogenic epilepsy. Common side effects included somnolence, poor appetite, irritability, and fatigue, all of which were generally mild and transient. Severe side effects, such as worsened seizures and hypothyroidism, were rare. Despite some limitations, including the absence of blood level monitoring for topiramate and a short follow-up period, the study supports topiramate as a viable treatment for refractory epilepsy in pediatric patients, particularly in cases where other AEDs have failed.
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