Early discontinuation of anticonvulsants after neonatal seizures: a preliminary report.

Seizures in the neonatal period generally respond well to anticonvulsant therapy, but exposure to anticonvulsant medication during the first few months of life may have a detrimental influence on growth and development. The optimal length of therapy is not known, though there are indications that treatment can be discontinued shortly after seizure control. We report a protocol in which anticonvulsant agents are discontinued before discharge from our neonatal unit. Follow-up of these infants has shown no recurrence of seizures.