Efficacy of Phenytoin vs Levetiracetam in Status Epilepticus at Institute of Child Health, Faisalabad.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background:

Status epilepticus is the second most common neurologic emergency in children. Morbidity and mortality are considerable, and thus, timely termination of convulsive status epilepticus is the primary goal of management to avoid these risks.

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of phenytoin and Levetiracetam in status epilepticus in children.

Study Design:

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

Setting:

This study was conducted in pediatric emergency department of Children Hospital Faisalabad.

Duration of Study:

Six months period from: 1/8/2022 to 31/1/2023.

Methodology:

A total of 70 patients were randomly allocated to one of the group by computer generated random number table according to their admission in emergency. Children in group A were given levetiracetam. Children in group B were given I/V phenytoin. For both groups if seizures recurred after the first loading dose an additional 10mg/kg of the same drug was given over 10 minutes.

The patients were monitored to see whether there was any recurrence of seizure activity in subsequent 24 hours. Seizure control was defined as the absence of seizure within 24 hours after the initial loading of the drug.

Results:

Comparison of efficacy of phenytoin and levetiracetam in status epilepticus children shows that 32(91.4%) in Group A and 26(74.3%) in Group B were treated effectively, p-value=0.005.

Conclusion:

We concluded that the efficacy of levetiracetam is significantly higher than phenytoin in the treatment of status epilepticus in children.

Keywords:

Children, Status epilepticus, Phenytoin, Levetiracetam, Efficacy