Experiences on the use of dipropylacetate in the treatment of childhood epilepsy

Abstract

The antiepileptic efficiency of dipropylacetate (DPA) was studied in 80 epileptic children who suffered either from seizures resistant to previous medication, so-called idiopathic epilepsy or progressive myoclonus epilepsy. The average peroral daily dosage of DPA was 21 mg/kg divided into 2 to 3 doses. DPA was most effective in cases with 1) so-called idiopathic epilepsy (genuine petit mal, photogenic epilepsy, myoclonic petit mal in older children), 2) seizures beginning in later childhood years, 3) photosensitive and hyperventilation-sensitive seizures, 4) EEG showing symmetric generalized spike-slow wave complexes provoked by photostimulation, 5) EEG without generalized disturbance or focal findings, 6) normal neurological and mental status, 7) progressive myoclonus epilepsy. DPA may thus be recommended for the treatment of the above-mentioned cases and, due to good treatment results, also tried in other types of epilepsy.