The efficacy and safety of gabapentin (GBP) as add-on therapy in 237 children, aged 3 to 12 years, with refractory partial seizures were studied at the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK. In a multicenter, open-label trial over a 6 month period, efficacy of GBP was evaluated by comparing the frequency of partial seizures during a 6-12 week base-line phase of a previous double-blind study to the frequency during the follow-up study. The median percent decrease in seizure frequency was 34% and the overall response rate (>50% reduction in seizures) was 34%. Six percent of patients withdrew because of adverse events, and 20% because of lack of efficacy. Concurrent AEDs were maintained in 78%; doses were decreased in 11% and increased in 11%. [1]
COMMENT. Gabapentin is well tolerated and effective as add-on treatment for refractory partial seizures in children.