The purpose of this research study is to learn how well the medication levetiracetam (Keppra)
works to treat seizures in full term and premature babies. Levetiracetam is commonly used in
babies with seizures at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, especially if the seizures have not
been stopped by other medicines. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use
of levetiracetam for older children (over the age of 4) but not for infants. Even though it
is not FDA approved for this age group, doctors at Cincinnati Children's use the medicine as
a second drug in babies whose seizures are not stopped by phenobarbital. Some doctors are
concerned that phenobarbital is not the best medicine to treat seizures in babies, so
researchers are trying to study other medicines.
In this study, the investigators are looking at how well levetiracetam stops or slows down
seizures in babies. The investigators are also studying the blood levels of levetiracetam to
learn more about how the medicine is processed by the body and what level of medicine in the
body works to stop seizures. The investigators are checking labs before and after giving the
dose to make sure the medication does not cause any changes in blood counts, kidney function,
or liver function. The investigators are following all of the babies in the study after
hospital discharge to see if the parents notice any side effects of the medication. Babies in
the study will come back to the High Risk Follow Up Clinic at Cincinnati Children's at 6
months of age for a visit with a neurologist and a neonatologist and developmental testing.