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Discontinuing Medication in Epileptic Children: A Study of Risk Factors Related to Recurrence
Author(s) -
Gherpelli José Luiz D.,
Kok Fernando,
Forno Silvana dal,
Elkis Livia C.,
Lefevre Beatriz H. W.,
Diament Aron J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1992.tb02347.x
Subject(s) - discontinuation , epilepsy , medicine , pediatrics , risk factor , antiepileptic drug , psychiatry
Summary: We studied 70 children who had experienced at least two seizures before age 12 years, excluding febrile seizures, neonatal seizures, or seizures occurring during a metabolic, or infectious insult to the central nervous system (CNS) and who had been seizure free for at least 2 years. Twenty children (28.5%) experienced a recurrence, 75% during antiepileptic (AED) drug discontinuation or <6 months after discontinuation. Risk factors statistically related to seizure recurrence were >10 seizures before seizure control, an abnormal EEG in the year before AED discontinuation, presence of focal neurologic signs and/or mental retardation, and presence of a mixed seizure pattern. Fourteen children (70%) with recurrence had two or more risk factors, whereas 36 (72%) without recurrence had no risk factor or only one. We conclude that a selected group of epileptic children who remain seizure‐free for a period of at least 2 years can have AEDs discontinued based on presence or absence of risk factors.