Anticonvulsant Therapy in Neonate. |
Jae Eun Yu |
Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. jeyumd@ajou.ac.kr |
신생아 경련성 질환의 항경련제 요법 |
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Abstract |
The immature neonatal brain is susceptible to the development of seizures. Seizures occur in 1% to 5% of infants during the neonatal period. Neonatal seizures are most commonly associated with serious acute illnesses, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, birth trauma, metabolic disturbances, or infections. Thus, newborn infants with seizures are at risk for neonatal death and survivors are at risk for neurologic impairment, developmental delay, and subsequent epilepsy. Experimental data have also raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of the currently used anticonvulsants in neonates on brain development. Therefore, in the management of neonatal seizures, confirmatory diagnosis and optimal, but shorter, duration of anticonvulsant therapy is essential.
Nevertheless, there has been substantial progress in understanding the developmental mechanisms that influence seizure generation and responsiveness to anticonvulsants.
The currently used therapies have limited efficacy and the treatment of neonatal seizures has not significantly changed in the past several decades, This review includes an overview of current approaches to the treatment of neonatal seizures. |
Key Words:
Immature neonatal brain; Seizure; Anticonvulsant |
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