Gabapentin in childhood epilepsy: a prospective evaluation of efficacy andsafety

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin (GBP) in partial epilepsy in children. Methods: We performed a prospective open label add-o n study in 52 children and adolescents (age 1.8-17.5 years, mean 11.1 years ) with refractory partial seizures. Gabapentin was added to one other basel ine drug and the efficacy was rated according to seizure type and frequency . Results: The GBP dose ranged from 26 to 78 mg/kg per day (mean 52 mg/kg p er day) and was well tolerated in most patients. The seizure frequency rema ined unchanged in 34 patients (65%). We saw a provocation of seizures in th ree children (6%). Initially 15 patients (29%) benefited from GBP: five (10 %) with a seizure reduction of 50-74%, seven (13%) with a reduction of 75-9 9% and three (6%) became seizure free. All but three experienced a developm ent of tolerance within the next weeks to months. Conclusions: Although gab apentin seems also to be safe in children, the efficacy in refractory parti al seizures was disappointing. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.