Efficacy of rufinamide in childhood refractory epilepsy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of rufinamide and its impact on seizure frequency in patients diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures could not be controlled with `classical` antiepileptic drugs. We retrospectively reviewed the data of epileptic patients who were followed up between January 2004 and December 2014 in the Pediatric Neurology Department. Patients who were diagnosed with `drug resistant epilepsy` and treated with rufinamide were evaluated. Decrease in seizure frequency and drug side effects were assessed as parameters. A total of 38 patients (14 girls, 24 boys) with a mean age of 8.5 (range, 3.5-17) years were included in the study. The mean follow-up duration was 25.5 (23-29.5) months, while the mean maximal dose of rufinamide was 32.5 (28-42) mg/kg/day. Response to treatment was assessed by the reduction in frequency of seizures. The decrease was < 50% (essentially unresponsive to treatment) in 20 patients and 50‑99% in 8 patients. Ten patients (26.3%) remained seizure-free. The response rate for tonic seizures was 50%. In drop/attacks seizures, this ratio was found as 73%, which was quite high. Patients with myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures did not significantly benefit from rufinamide. The rate of patients with Lennox-Gestaut syndrome (LGS) who responded very well (reduction in seizure frequency > 50%) was 55.5%. In the LGS group, patients with drop/attacks showed the best response to treatment. Rufinamide...
Source: The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Turk J Pediatr Source Type: research