When to start and stop anticonvulsant therapy in children

Abstract

A large body of evidence has accrued in recent years, allowing a more precise estimate of the risk of seizure recurrence for children with new-onset seizures and for children who stop therapy once they are seizure-free. The primary goal for children with epilepsy is not solely freedom from seizures, but an optimal quality of life. Unless the physician can predict a recurrence risk at the extremes (0% or 100%), the nonmedical factors that affect quality of life will usually dominate the family's decision making. Together, the physician and family should weigh the risks and benefits of treatment against the risks and benefits of withholding or stopping therapy. Antiepileptic drug treatment should be withheld from most children until they have had a second seizure. Most children who receive antiepileptic drug treatment should attempt to taper their medications after 2 years without seizures.