Acute rhabdomyolysis due to levetiracetam in a two-year-old girl

Abstract

Levetiracetam is one of the safest drugs which is used for the treatment of focal and generalized seizures during childhood. Until now, few patients have been reported with the diagnosis of acute rhabdomyolysis due to levetiracetam and our case is the youngest patient in the literature. Two-year old girl followed with atypical Rett syndrome (CDKL 5 deficiency) was admitted to our hospital with pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency. She was receiving intravenous antibiotics and levetiracetam therapy. During follow-up, the increase of creatine kinase levels continued, intravenous hydration and alkalinization was added on therapy. As we could not find any etiology explaining the raising creatine kinase levels in our patient, levetiracetam was thought to be the cause of rhabdomyolysis and withdrawn. After discontinuation of levetiracetam, creatine kinase levels began to decline within 24 h and returned to normal levels in one week. Levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis is quite rare but is a life-threatening condition and should be kept in mind especially during childhood. The creatine kinase levels and renal function tests of all patients should be followed in the first week of levetiracetam therapy. Early diagnosis and supportive therapy is very important in order to prevent acute kidney injury. CDKL 5 deficiency can be a protective factor which might prevent acute kidney injury in our patient but more research is needed about this topic.