Ethosuximide, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

In this randomized trial of three common treatments for childhood absence epilepsy, ethosuximide and valproic acid were more effective than lamotrigine, and adverse effects on attention were less frequent with ethosuximide than with valproic acid. These findings suggest that ethosuximide has the best efficacy and safety profile. The findings of this randomized trial of three common treatments for childhood absence epilepsy suggest that ethosuximide has the best efficacy and safety profile. Childhood absence epilepsy accounts for 10 to 17% of all cases of childhood-onset epilepsy, making it the most common form of pediatric epilepsy. 1 , 2 The syndrome is characterized by daily frequent but brief staring spells, typically beginning at 4 to 8 years of age, in an otherwise apparently healthy child. 3 The classic electroencephalogram (EEG) shows generalized spike-wave bursts (of 3 Hz) with normal background activity. 3 , 4 Often misperceived as a benign form of epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy is associated with variable remission rates; affected children have cognitive deficits and long-term psychosocial difficulties. 5 – 7 Three medications are commonly used as initial . . .