Levetiracetam (Keppra) efficacy and safety in the prevention of early-onset seizures following traumatic brain injuries in pediatric patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 144-148
Author(s):  
Young Shin ◽  
Sandra Benavides ◽  
Joanie Wurster ◽  
Neil Patel
Keyword(s):  
Early Onset ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Onset Seizure ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Seizure Prophylaxis ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Introduction Approximately half a million emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) by children and adolescents occur each year. One of the complications of TBI is early-onset seizure. Current guidelines recommend the use of phenytoin for prevention of seizures following a TBI; however, several drug interactions and adverse reactions are associated with its use. Despite studies demonstrating efficacy of levetiracetam in adult patients, the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in children with TBI is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for the prevention of early-onset seizures in pediatric patients following TBI. Methods A retrospective evaluation was conducted, which included children, ages 0 to 17 years, admitted secondary to a nonpenetrating TBI and who received levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis for up to 7 days. The primary outcome was the number of children who had a seizure within the first 7 days following a TBI, and secondary outcomes included the number of adverse drug reactions. Results A total of 89 pediatrics patients with nonpenetrating TBI were identified and included in the study. Forty-seven patients received a mean dose of 10 mg/kg (SD ± 4.22) of levetiracetam twice a day, and 42 patients received 500 mg 2 times per day (based on adult dosing). Seizure activity was observed in only two patients (2.2%) within the first 7 days following TBI. A total of 13 patients (14.6%) experienced anemia, agitation, and elevation of liver enzymes during levetiracetam therapy. Discussion The study suggests that levetiracetam appears to be an effective and safe agent for early-onset seizure prophylaxis in pediatric patients with TBI as indicated by the low number of patients with seizures. The reported adverse reactions may have resulted from the trauma rather than the use of levetiracetam.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of UVB-therapy with 311 nm wave-length and tacrolimus in treatment of psoriasis in children

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (26) ◽  
pp. 22-25
Author(s):  
S. N. Turovskaya ◽  
E. V. Matushevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Severe Psoriasis ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Traditional Drug ◽  
Uvb Phototherapy

Relevance. Of particular relevance in recent years has become the problem of psoriasis in children, it is noted an increase in cases of severe psoriasis refractory to traditional drug therapy, which together with a high incidence raises the questions of optimization of therapeutic interventions in this category of patients in the category of social.The purpose of the study. To study the efficacy and safety of UVB-phototherapy 311 nm, tacrolimus from pediatric patients with psoriasis.Material and methods. Under supervision there were 26 patients from 5 to 16 years old. All patients received UVB 311 nm phototherapy. The effectiveness evaluated in accordance with the dynamics of the indexes PASI, BSA, Quality of Life.Results. As a result of the course of UVB-therapy with 311 nm wave-length the number of patients with PASI 100 was 69 %, PASI 90 was 23 %, PASI 75 was 8 %. Index BSA were thus reduced to 81.5 %, DIKE improved by 65.3 %. The tolerance to UVB 311 nm was evaluated as very good. Adverse reactions such as transient erythema was observed in 11.5 % of patients, xerosis in 19.2 %.Conclusion. UVB 311 nm phototherapy is a highly effective and safe method of therapy of medium-severe psoriasis in children.

scholarly journals Distinctive clinical and laboratory features of COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections among hospitalized pediatric patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Alsuheel Asseri ◽  
Ayed A. Shati ◽  
Saleh M. Al-Qahtani ◽  
Ibrahim A. Alzaydani ◽  
Ahmed A. Al-Jarie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Total Intensive Care Unit

Abstract Background It had been documented in many studies that pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by low infectivity rates, low mortalities, and benign disease course. On the other hand, influenza type A viruses are recognized to cause severe and fatal infections in children populations worldwide. This study is aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections. Methods A retrospective study comprising 107 children hospitalized at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital, Southern region of Saudi Arabia, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza infections was carried out. A complete follow-up for all patients from the hospital admission until discharge or death was made. The clinical data and laboratory parameters for these patients were collected from the medical records of the hospital. Results Out of the total enrolled patients, 73 (68.2%) were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 34 (31.8%) were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza. The median age is 12 months for COVID-19 patients and 36 months for influenza patients. A relatively higher number of patients with influenza had a fever and respiratory symptoms than COVID-19 patients. In contrast, gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in a higher number of COVID-19 patients than in influenza patients. A statistically significant increase in white cell counts is noted in COVID-19 but not in influenza patients (P < 0.05). There are no obvious variations in the mean period of duration of hospitalization between COVID-19 and influenza patients. However, the total intensive care unit length of stay was longer for influenza compared to COVID-19 patients. Conclusions A considerable number of children infected with COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza were noted and reported in this study. There were no significant variations in the severity of the symptomatology and laboratory findings between the two groups of patients. Significant differences between these patients in some hospitalization factors and diagnosis upon admission also were not observed. However, more severe clinical manifestations and serious consequences were observed among pediatric patients hospitalized with influenza infections than among those with COVID-19.

STRUCTURAL AND DYNAMIC FEATURES OF EAR-LY DISABILITY DUE TO MENTAL DISEASES

2020 ◽  
pp. 62-67
Author(s):  
Shmakova O.P.
Keyword(s):  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽  
Child Psychiatrist ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Dynamic Features ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Number Of Patients

Prevention of disability is one of the most significant tasks of child and adolescent psychiatry. Obtaining data on the dynamics of the number of people with disabilities and the factors affecting this indicator seems to be one of the relevant aspects. Aim: to trace the dynamics of the number of children with disabili-ties and to assess the change in the structure of early disability over the past decades. Materials and Meth-ods. A comparative analysis of two cohorts of patients was carried out: 1st - patients born in 1990-1992. (1203 patients (men - 914, 76%; women - 289, 24%)) who applied to the district neuropsychiatric dispensa-ry for outpatient care in childhood and adolescence; II - children and adolescents born in 2005 - 2018 (602 patients (male - 410, 68%; female - 192, 32%), ob-served at the time of the study by a child psychiatrist in the neuropsychiatric dispensary. Research methods: clinical and psychopathological; follow-up; statisti-cal. Results. Comparison of the number and nosologi-cal distribution of disabled children in two cohorts showed that over the 15th year there has been a shift towards an increase in the proportion of disabled children among patients observed by child and ado-lescent psychiatrists. The increase in the number of children with disabilities was due to those suffering from childhood autism and other disorders of general development. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of people with disabilities who received benefits before the age of 7, as well as differences in gender ratios among disabled people in the two cohorts. Conclusion. Early disability is a mul-tifactorial phenomenon, prevalence, dynamics, the structure of which depends not only on clinical, but also on socio-administrative realities. Children with autism require increased attention, since there has been a multiple increase in the number of patients with this diagnosis.

ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ И БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ 10% ВНУТРИВЕННОГО ИММУНОГЛОБУЛИНА ПРИВИДЖЕН В РЕАЛЬНОЙ КЛИНИЧЕСКОЙ ПРАКТИКЕ

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.G. Khludova ◽  
I.A. Manto ◽  
E.A. Latysheva ◽  
T.V. Latysheva ◽  
M.R. Khaitov
Keyword(s):  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Primary Immunodeficiency ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
High Efficacy ◽  
Antibody Synthesis ◽  
Human Immunoglobulins ◽  
Severe Adverse Reactions ◽  
Common Variable ◽  
Real Clinical Practice

Актуальность. Заместительная терапия иммуноглобулинами человека является ведущим патогенетическим методом лечения первичных иммунодефицитов с нарушением синтеза антител. В настоящее время в России доступно несколько препаратов иммуноглобулинов человека нормальных для внутривенного введения. Цель. Оценить эффективность и безопасность препарата Привиджен (10 раствор иммуноглобулина для внутривенного введения) в реальной клинической практике в течение 12 клинических месяцев. Материалы и методы. 20 взрослых с диагнозом общая вариабельная иммунная недостаточности и Х-сцепленная агаммаглобулинемия получали внутривенный иммуноглобулин Привиджен к интервалом 243 дня в течение 12 мес. Первичными критериями оценки была частота инфекционных осложнений и нежелательных явлений. Результаты. У большинства пациентов в ходе исследования достигнут удовлетворительный претранс-фузионный уровень IgG. Тяжелых нежелательных явлений, связанных с введением препарата, не зарегистрировано. Заключение. В ходе исследования препарат продемонстрировал высокую эффективность и безопасность у пациентов, нуждающихся в ежемесячной заместительной терапииRelevance. Replacement therapy with human immunoglobulins is the leading pathogenetic method of treatment of primary immunodeficiency with impaired antibody synthesis. Currently, several preparations of human immunoglobulins for intravenous administration are available in Russia. Purposes. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Privigen immunoglobulin intravenous 10 liquid in real clinical practice within 12 clinical months. Methods. Twenty adults diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency or X-linked agammaglobulinemia received intravenous Privigen infusions (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) at 243 intervals over a 12-month period. The primary endpoint was the annual rate of infections and adverse events. Results. Sufficient level of IgG was achieved in most patients during the study. Severe adverse reactions during the treatment were not registered. Conclusions. High efficacy and safety of monthly replacement therapy in patients with primary immunodeficiency with impaired antibody synthesis has been demonstrated.

The ENT emergency clinic: does senior input matter?

2012 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mirza ◽  
L McClelland ◽  
M Daniel ◽  
N Jones
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Discharge Rate ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Discharge Rates ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Number Of Patients

AbstractBackground:Many ENT conditions can be treated in the emergency clinic on an ambulatory basis. Our clinic traditionally had been run by foundation year two and specialty trainee doctors (period one). However, with perceived increasing inexperience, a dedicated registrar was assigned to support the clinic (period two). This study compared admission and discharge rates for periods one and two to assess if greater registrar input affected discharge rate; an increase in discharge rate was used as a surrogate marker of efficiency.Method:Data was collected prospectively for patients seen in the ENT emergency clinic between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2011. Time period one included data from patients seen between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010, and time period two included data collected between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011.Results:The introduction of greater registrar support increased the number of patients that were discharged, and led to a reduction in the number of children requiring the operating theatre.Conclusion:The findings, which were determined using clinic outcomes as markers of the quality of care, highlighted the benefits of increasing senior input within the ENT emergency clinic.

scholarly journals EXPRESS: Efficacy and Safety of Tadalafil in a Pediatric Population with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phase 3 randomized, Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 204589402110249
Author(s):  
David D Ivy ◽  
Damien Bonnet ◽  
Rolf MF Berger ◽  
Gisela Meyer ◽  
Simin Baygani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Significance Testing ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Statistical Significance Testing ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: This phase-3, international, randomized, multicenter (24 weeks double-blind placebo controlled period; 2-year, open-labelled extension period), add-on (patient’s current endothelin receptor antagonist therapy) study included pediatric patients aged <18 years with PAH. Patients received tadalafil 20 mg or 40 mg based on their weight (Heavy-weight: ≥40 kg; Middle-weight: ≥25—<40 kg) or placebo orally QD for 24 weeks. Primary endpoint was change from baseline in 6-minute walk (6MW) distance in patients aged ≥6 years at Week 24. Sample size was amended from 134 to ≥34 patients, due to serious recruitment challenges. Therefore, statistical significance testing was not performed between treatment groups. Results: Patient demographics and baseline characteristics (N=35; tadalafil=17; placebo=18) were comparable between treatment groups; median age was 14.2 years (6.2 to 17.9 years) and majority (71.4%, n=25) of patients were in HW cohort. Least square mean (SE) changes from baseline in 6MW distance at Week 24 was numerically greater with tadalafil versus placebo (60.48 [20.41] vs 36.60 [20.78] meters; placebo-adjusted mean difference [SD] 23.88 [29.11]). Safety of tadalafil treatment was as expected without any new safety concerns. During study period 1, two patients (1 in each group) discontinued due to investigator’s reported clinical worsening, and no deaths were reported. Conclusions: The statistical significance testing was not performed between the treatment groups due to low sample size, however, the study results show positive trend in improvement in non invasive measurements, commonly utilized by clinicians to evaluate the disease status for children with PAH. Safety of tadalafil treatment was as expected without any new safety signals.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with clinical response to Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Geat ◽  
Mattia Giovannini ◽  
Ezio Gabriele Barlocco ◽  
Riccardo Pertile ◽  
Stefania Farina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Thermal Spring ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Thermal Spring Water

Abstract Background Several studies have investigated the efficacy of balneotherapy in atopic dermatitis (AD), including a pediatric open randomized clinical trial conducted at the Comano thermal spring water center, which showed a significant reduction in AD severity and an improvement of the quality of life. However, so far many studies on balneotherapy in pediatric AD have included relatively small populations without identifying patients’ characteristics associated with their response. The aim of the present study was to identify any features associated with the clinical response to the Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy in a large cohort of pediatric AD patients. Methods An observational study was conducted on 867 children aged ≤16 years (females 50.5%, mean patient’s age 5.9 years, standard deviation ±3.6 years) with mild to severe AD who underwent balneotherapy at the Comano thermal spring water center (Comano, Trentino, Italy) from April to October 2014. Patients were stratified according to their disease severity, which was evaluated using five SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) categories before and immediately after a thermal spring water balneotherapy course. Potential characteristics associated with the patients’ clinical response to Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy were investigated. Results A statistically significant improvement in AD severity was observed after Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy (p < 0.0001). A significantly higher percentage of patients achieving improvement in AD severity was reported among children ≤4 years old (p < 0.0001) with early-onset AD (p < 0.0001), severe AD (p < 0.0001) or coexistent reported food allergies (p < 0.01). The therapy was well tolerated, and no relevant adverse effects were reported during the treatment course. Conclusions Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy is a safe complementary treatment for pediatric patients with AD, as it was able to reduce the disease severity, especially in children ≤4 years old, with early onset AD, severe AD or concomitant food allergies.

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