Benign infantile epilepsy. A new case with positive response to levetiracetam

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Diaz-Negrillo, Antonio

Affiliations: Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Infanta Elena Hospital, Madrid, Spain

Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Antonio Díaz-Negrillo, Unidad de Neurofisiología Clínica, Avda, Reyes Católicos, No: 21, 28340, Valdemoro, Madrid, Spain. Tel.: +34 918948410; Fax: +34 918948537; E-mail: antoniodnegrillo@yahoo.es

Abstract: In the last 20 yr, the concept of ‘benign infantile epilepsy’ has received considerable attention. However, few cases of this condition have been reported. The purpose of this paper is to present a new case of benign infantile epilepsy and suggest new therapeutic options with favorable results. The patient was 11 mo of age who had complex partial seizures with secondary generalization since the age of 4 mo. The episodes were diagnosed as benign infantile seizures. Up to then there had been no optimal control of the seizures with valproic acid. By adding levetiracetam seizures disappeared completely. To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting on the effectiveness of levetiracetam in benign infantile epilepsy. The use of levetiracetam can be a promising alternative when classical drugs do not show optimal results.

Keywords: Benign infantile epilepsy, seizures, gastroenteritis, levetiracetam, epilepsy

DOI: 10.3233/PEP-14084

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 117-119, 2014