THE ROLE OF VIGABATRIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INFANTILE EPILEPTIC SYNDROMES

More than 360 children with intractable epilepsy have been treated wit h vigabatrin in single-blind or open, add-on studies. Approximately 50 % or more of patients with West syndrome and partial seizures have sho wn a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency with the use of vig abatrin. A less consistent response has been found between studies eva luating vigabatrin in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, although, overall, approximately 50% of these patients have also shown a greate r than 50% decrease in seizures. The use of vigabatrin in idiopathic l ocalization-related epilepsy, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and the Landau Kleffner syndrome have not been reported, but its evaluation i n these conditions may be warranted based on the relatively excellent safety profile of vigabatrin. Vigabatrin has been shown to aggravate ' 'nonprogressive myoclonic epilepsies.'' Vigabatrin has been well toler ated in children, with mild drowsiness and agitation being the most co mmonly reported side effects.