Prevalence of renal complications of levetiracetam in neonates with seizures in Qom from 2015 to 2020

Spasms or seizures during the first month of life are the most common clinical manifestations of central nervous system failure in infants and occur due to overactivity of a group of nerve cells in the brain and excessive electrical stimulation of neurons. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of renal complications of levetiracetam in neonates with seizures.

A retrospective descriptive-analytical study was conducted to evaluate the levels of creatinine and blood urea as well as t duration of levetiracetam use in all neonates. Renal ultrasound was only performed for cases with elevated creatinine levels. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed.

No significant differences were foundbetween neonatal subgroups, especially in infants on levetiracetam, except a transient increase in creatinine and urea levels. During the 6-month follow-up, only three cases had increased creatinine levels above 1.4. These three cases had normal genitourinary ultrasound. In addition, of neonates diagnosed with choroid cyst on ultrasound, the creatinine level was above 1.4 in one case and below 1.4 in other cases.

According to the results of the present study, no serious renal complication was observed with levetiracetam and its use can be recommended for patients.