Response to carbamazepine in children with newly diagnosed partial onset epilepsy

Objective: The purpose of this work is to characterize the effectiveness and therapeutic doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) in children with localization- related epilepsy. Methods: Treatment to initial CBZ monotherapy and doses associated with 1- year seizure freedom were examined in 100 consecutive children with partial epilepsy. Results: Of the 100 patients studied, 55 became seizure- free on CBZ monotherapy, 10 did not tolerate CBZ within the first 3 months of therapy owing to either hypersensitivity or intolerable side effects, and 35 continued to have seizures. In children age < 12, over 95% responded at doses below 17.5 mg/ kg/ day; in children age > 12, over 95% responded at below 15 mg/ kg/ day. Conclusions: We suggest that other antiepileptic treatments be considered when seizures continue in children taking carbamazepine doses between 15 and 17.5 mg/ kg/ day even if side effects are absent.