RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate whether levetiracetam should be preferred to carbamazepine as a treatment choice for benign childhood epilepsy with centro Temporal spikes (BCECTS), the most common partial epilepsy of childhood. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial study included 92 children with rolandic epilepsy aged 4-12 years referred to the Pediatric Neurology Clinic at Imam Hossein Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, from April 2019 to January 2020. Patients were selected consecutively and randomly assigned to two study groups (levetiracetam and carbamazepine groups). Patients were followed and revisited every 2 months for 6 months after starting the medication. The frequency and duration of seizure attacks and drug side effects were recorded before treatment and in bi-monthly visits. Data were analyzed by SPSS software Version 24 using Mann-Whitney U- test and Friedman test. FINDINGS: In our study, the seizure frequency decrease was not significantly different between the two groups; however, patients in both groups showed significantly lower seizure frequency in 2, 4, and 6 months of follow-up compared to starting time. After a follow-up for 6 months, one out of 47 (2.1%) patients using levetiracetam showed intolerance, resulting in changing the medication. In addition, two out of 48 (4.1%) patients in the carbamazepine group had skin rashes. No significant changes had been reported regarding the duration of seizure attacks in both groups after treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed encouraging results for using levetiracetam, with acceptable results and fewer side effects for the treatment of children with BCECTS in Iran.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW or birth weight <2500 g) is one of the most serious health problems in today's world. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate growth parameters of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admitted LBW preterm neonates at corrected ages of 6 and 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort (follow up) study, all LBW preterm neonates whom were admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital NICU in 2008, followed up for one year and their weight, height and head circumference evaluated at ages of 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Twenty four boys and 26 girls with mean gestational age of 31.3±2.7 weeks and mean birth weight of 1480.3±422.8gr were evaluated. The most frequency of underweight and short stature was seen at the age of six months. Exclusive breast feeding infants had the lowest frequency of underweight at the age of six. Frequency of underweight at the age of six months and NICU stay days were more in neonates with birth weight of less than 1000 gr. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to emphasize on the importance of growth assessment of LBW children and proper education of their mothers about nutrition of their children for early and timely diagnosis and management of growth retardation and prevention of subsequent problems.