OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of levetiracetam on sex hormone and thyroid hormone of epileptic children and to evaluate its safety. METHODS: A total of 22 newly diagnosed epileptic children were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (hereinafter refferred as our hospital) during Jul. 2013-Feb. 2015 as observation group. During same period, 17 children underwent physical examination in our hospital were selected as control group. Observation group was given Levetiracetam tablets with initial dose of 10 mg/kg, increasing by 10 mg/(kg·d) every week or every two weeks [target dose of 30-40 mg/(kg·d)] for 12 months. The levels of sex hormone (follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone and estradiol) and thyroid hormone (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4, TSH) were observed before medication in control group and before and 3, 6, 12 months after medication in observation group. The occurrence of ADR was recorded in observation group. RESULTS: Before medication, there was no statistical significance in the levels of sex hormone or thyroid hormone between 2 groups (P>0.05). Three, six, twelve months after medication, there was no statistical significance in the levels of sex hormone in observation group compared to before medication (P>0.05). Three, six months after medication, there was no statistical significance in the levels of thyroid hormone in observation group compared to before medication (P>0.05). Twelve months after medication, there was no statistical significance in the levels of TT3, TT4, FT4 or TSH compared to before medication (P>0.05); the level of FT3 was increased significantly, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Two cases of observation group suffered from ADR (9.1%). Without special treatment, the symptoms all disappeared 1-2 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam can be used for pediatric epilepsy and has no significant effects on the level of sex hormone, but increases the level of FT3.
Laboratory of Child Development and Disorder,National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders(Chongqing),China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics,Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University