Clinical analysis of levetiracetam in the treatment of children and adolescents with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To explore and compare the clinical efficacy of levetiracetam tablets and compound sodium valproate sustained release tablets in the treatment of children and adolescents with epilepsy. Methods From April 2017 to April 2018, 80 children and adolescents with epilepsy treated in Chaonan Minsheng Hospital of Shantou were selected as study objects, and they were randomly divided into two groups by drawing lots, with 40 cases in each group.The observation group was given levetiracetam tablets, and the control group was treated with valproate.The improvement of EEG after therapy, the total effective rate, and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed and evaluated. Results The EEG improvement rates after treatment for 6 months in the observation group and control group were 41.17%, 45.71%, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.508, P>0.05). The EEG improvement rates after treatment for 9 months in the observation group and control group were 70.58%, 74.28%, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.225, P>0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 92.50%, which was 95.00% in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups(χ2=0.354, P>0.05). However, the incidence rate of adverse reactions of the observation group(22.50%) was significantly lower than that of the control group(45.00%)(χ2=6.864, P<0.05). Conclusion Both levetiracetam tablets and compound sodium valproate sustained release tablets have appreciable efficacy and safety in the treatment of epilepsy in children and adolescents, but levetiracetam therapy has less adverse reactions, which deserves further promotion in monotherapy of epilepsy in children and adolescents. Key words: Epilepsy; Electroencephalography; Treatment outcome; Adverse drug reaction reporting systems; Sodium valproate; Levetiracetam; Child; Adolescent