In an retrospective uncontrolled long-term study in 30 children with intractable epilepsy,
it was found that treatment with vigabatrin resulted in a seizure reduction of more
than 50 % at 1-year follow-up in 40 % of the children. The responders were all children
with partial seizures. Side effects were mild and did not lead to discontinuation
of the drug. Increased numbers of seizures were seen in three cases. A moderate weight
increase was seen in 27 % of the children. At 5-year follow-up 7 children (23 %) still
maintained a seizure reduction of more than 50 %. Trials of monotherapy in three seizure-free
patients were unsuccessful. No further side effects were observed. A study of evoked
potentials in 12 children showed no alteration in latency and amplitudes of VEP following
treatment with vigabatrin. Our results show that in children vigabatrin seems to have
a stable effect even though a few children may experience a breakthrough of seizures.
The presented results together with previous reports on MRI-scans seem to indicate
that even in children with a still maturing CNS vigabatrin is a safe drug.
Epilepsy - Vigabatrin - Long-term outcome
