Four-year outcome after early withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs in childhood epilepsy

Neurology. 2005 Jun 28;64(12):2136-8. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000166035.26217.61.

Abstract

Four-year follow-up of children with epilepsy included in a randomized trial of early withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs showed that 51% achieved a terminal remission of at least 2 years without medication and 21% with medication; 15% had seizures during the fourth year. Early medication withdrawal is not recommended as standard practice in children with a rapid response to medication. The authors developed a model to predict outcome if withdrawal is considered.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Remission Induction
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Time
  • Time Factors
  • Withholding Treatment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Withholding Treatment / trends

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants