European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
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Neonatal seizures are common, especially in prematurity. Phenobarbital (PB) currently represents the antiepileptic drug (AED) of choice, despite being related to increased neuronal apoptosis in animal models and cognitive impairment in human subjects. Levetiracetam (LEV) may have a more favorable profile since it does not cause neuronal apoptosis in infant rodents. ⋯ These results illustrate the safety of LEV treatment in neonatal seizures, including prematurity and suggest LEV anticonvulsant efficacy. Additional PB treatment admittedly constitutes a methodological shortcoming due to the prolonged anticonvulsive efficacy of PB. Double blind prospective controlled studies and long-term evaluation of cognitive outcome are called for.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2011
Siblings of young people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy--a qualitative study of impact and coping.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressively debilitating neuromuscular disorder markedly affecting family life. ⋯ DMD generates situations that have the potential to increase the risk of emotional problems in unaffected siblings, but its chronic course also provides opportunities for positive family psychological adjustment.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Nov 2010
Cerebral palsy in children born after in vitro fertilization. Is the risk decreasing?
Infants born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) differ from spontaneously conceived infants in a number of aspects which could increase the risk for future cerebral palsy (CP), e.g., multiple births, preterm births, neonatal complications. ⋯ The moderately increased risk for CP was most likely a consequence of an increased risk of neonatal morbidity, notably associated with multiple births.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Sep 2010
Clinical TrialEfficacy and usability of buccal midazolam in controlling acute prolonged convulsive seizures in children.
A Prolonged convulsive seizure is the most common neurological medical emergency with poor outcome. An ideal anticonvulsant should be easy-to-use, effective, and safe, and it should also have a long-lasting effect. Benzodiazepines, give via the intravenous or rectal route have generally been used as first-line drugs. ⋯ In the buccal midazolam group, 46 (94%) parents were satisfied with their child's treatment and route of drug administration while in the rectal diazepam group, 7 (14%) parents were satisfied. Buccal midazolam was significantly more acceptable than rectal diazepam (p value<0.001). In conclusion, buccal midazolam may be as effective as rectal diazepam but more convenient to use in the controlling acute prolonged seizures in children, especially in situations in which there is a difficulty in gaining IV access, for example, in infants.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jul 2010
The efficacy of vagal nerve stimulation in children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy: practical experience at a Turkish tertiary referral center.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective therapy for pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Nevertheless, information regarding the long-term outcome of VNS in children is limited. ⋯ Although it is an expensive method, VNS is an effective treatment method. This series shows the necessity of long-term follow-up series for understanding the efficacy and advantages of VNS. Prospective, long-term double-blind studies with large samples are needed to confirm the present study's findings.