[Withdrawal and reintroduction of pharmacological treatment of epilepsy in paediatric patients. Our experience].

INTRODUCTION

There are many variables to be considered in the withdrawal of treatment for epileptic seizures, which requires a risk-benefit assessment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients in a neuropaediatric practice who required the reintroduction of treatment for epilepsy after its initial withdrawal, and who continue to receive anti-seizure drugs.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 57 children whose treatment was withdrawn are currently being administered the treatment as a monotherapy. Attempts at withdrawal were made with 17 patients, with a mean seizure-free period of 26 months; range: 8-47 months (excluding one patient who never stopped presenting seizures). Mean age at the time of the last known data: 16 years; range: 7-28 years. Average time until the first seizure after withdrawal: 12 months; range: 1-82 months. Seizures persist despite the current treatment administered in eight cases. Two or three attempts to withdraw treatment were made in six patients, with a mean seizure-free period of 28.6 months; range: 22-48 months. Mean age at the time of the last known data: 18.68 years; range: 13-37 years. Average time until the first seizure after withdrawal: 8.2 months; range: 1-30 months. They presented seizures after treatment four was reintroduced. 52% of the patients presented seizures while receiving the drug, which was discontinued. The treatment was withdrawn in cases meeting criteria for persistent seizures: three refractory epilepsies, five symptomatic focal epilepsies, four cases with intellectual disability, five adolescent-onset epilepsies, and failures in previous withdrawal in 23 cases and 30 attempts.

CONCLUSION

The decision to withdraw treatment must be personalised, and consider the risk of relapse, taking into account efficacy and tolerability, and behaviour and neurodevelopment in particular.