Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin as second-line treatments in children with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE).MethodsA systematic search identified randomized controlled trials comparing levetiracetam with phenytoin/fosphenytoin to treat CS...

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Main Authors: Linping Jin, Zhiping Jin, Zhijiang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1580329/full
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author Linping Jin
Zhiping Jin
Zhijiang Wang
author_facet Linping Jin
Zhiping Jin
Zhijiang Wang
author_sort Linping Jin
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin as second-line treatments in children with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE).MethodsA systematic search identified randomized controlled trials comparing levetiracetam with phenytoin/fosphenytoin to treat CSE in children. Fourteen studies involving 2,197 patients were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsNo significant difference was found between the two treatments regarding seizure cessation (odds ratio (OR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94–1.48; p = 0.16) or time to clinical seizure termination (mean difference: −0.10, 95% CI: −0.61 to 0.40; p = 0.69). However, levetiracetam was associated with significantly fewer seizure recurrences (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43–0.84; p = 0.003) and adverse events (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.94; p = 0.03) compared with phenytoin/fosphenytoin. No significant differences were observed in the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, or hospital length of stay.ConclusionLevetiracetam is as effective as phenytoin/fosphenytoin to control seizures in children with CSE and is associated with fewer seizure recurrences and adverse events.
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spelling doaj-art-230a25d9cae14f7fb58841f6f83dee012025-08-20T02:01:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-05-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15803291580329Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trialsLinping JinZhiping JinZhijiang WangObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin as second-line treatments in children with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE).MethodsA systematic search identified randomized controlled trials comparing levetiracetam with phenytoin/fosphenytoin to treat CSE in children. Fourteen studies involving 2,197 patients were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsNo significant difference was found between the two treatments regarding seizure cessation (odds ratio (OR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94–1.48; p = 0.16) or time to clinical seizure termination (mean difference: −0.10, 95% CI: −0.61 to 0.40; p = 0.69). However, levetiracetam was associated with significantly fewer seizure recurrences (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43–0.84; p = 0.003) and adverse events (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.94; p = 0.03) compared with phenytoin/fosphenytoin. No significant differences were observed in the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, or hospital length of stay.ConclusionLevetiracetam is as effective as phenytoin/fosphenytoin to control seizures in children with CSE and is associated with fewer seizure recurrences and adverse events.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1580329/fullconvulsive status epilepticusphenytoinfosphenytoinlevetiracetamseizurereview
spellingShingle Linping Jin
Zhiping Jin
Zhijiang Wang
Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Neurology
convulsive status epilepticus
phenytoin
fosphenytoin
levetiracetam
seizure
review
title Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_full Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_fullStr Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_full_unstemmed Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_short Levetiracetam versus phenytoin/fosphenytoin for second-line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus: an up-to-date meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
title_sort levetiracetam versus phenytoin fosphenytoin for second line treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus an up to date meta analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
topic convulsive status epilepticus
phenytoin
fosphenytoin
levetiracetam
seizure
review
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1580329/full
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