Evaluation of Long-Term Effects of Levetiracetam Monotherapy on Hematological and Liver Function Parameters in Children With Idiopathic Epilepsy

Objective: We aimed this study, investigated the changes in pre- and post-treatment hematological parameters, liver and kidney function parameters in children that were diagnosed with epilepsy and initiated on levetiracetam (LEV) therapy. Methodology: The study population consisted of 114 children (6-18 years) had normal growth percentiles, that were treated for new-onset epilepsy with LEV monotherapy. In each patient, hematological parameters, B12, ferritin, liver and kidney function parameters were measured before and one/three years after the initiation of the therapy. Results: The hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Htc) levels showed a significant increase and the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (p=0.000), monocyte percentage (p=0.032), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (p=0.000) levelsshowed a significant decrease. The ALC levels decreased significantly in 6 (5.3%) children. The mean drug dose at three years of treatment was 30.0±5.6 mg/kg/day. No significant difference was found between pre- and post-treatment platelet (PLT) counts and no significant correlation was found between gender and hematological parameters (p>0.05 for both). Conclusion: Although LEV monotherapy led to changes in the hematological parameters of the epilepsy patients, no significant change was observed in liver function. We suggest that when evaluating the hematological parameters in children with epilepsy, the community’s predisposition should be considered and also children should be examined for iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia before initiating the LEV therapy. It was also revealed that long-term LEV monotherapy is a safe treatment in children with epilepsy.