Evaluation of the Effects of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Antiepileptic Drug Serum Concentrations in Pediatric Patients.

Objectives: Patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have an increased incidence of seizures. Phenobarbital (PB) and fosphenytoin (fos-PHT) are common antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to manage seizures in the pediatric population; however, it is unknown what effect ECMO has on the serum concentrations of AEDs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of ECMO on AED serum concentrations.

Evaluation of Safety in Exceeding Maximum Adult Doses of Commonly Used Second-Generation Antiepileptic Drugs in Pediatric Patients.

Objective: Pediatric patients often require larger doses of antiepileptic drug (AED) than adults in order to attain therapeutic serum concentrations and/or achieve seizure control. Safety and efficacy data are often extrapolated from adult literature; hence, optimal dosage may only be determined anecdotally or based on expert opinion. With limited pediatric dosing guidelines, milligrams per day that are based on weight may exceed the maximum adult dose.

Outcomes in Postoperative Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients Who Received an Antiepileptic Drug.

Advances in cardiac operations over the last few decades, including corrective operations in early life, have dramatically increased the survival of children with congenital heart disease. However, postoperative care has been associated with neurologic complications, with seizures being the most common manifestation. The primary objective of this study is to describe the outcomes in pediatric patients who received an antiepileptic drug (AED) post-cardiac surgery.

Impact of Body Habitus on Phenytoin Levels Following Fosphenytoin Loading Dose in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Obesity has been shown to affect the disposition of water-soluble medications in pediatric patients. There are no published data describing serum phenytoin concentrations in obese pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was designed that included patients from 2011 to 2013 between 2 and 19 years of age who received a dose of fosphenytoin with a subsequent serum phenytoin concentration, drawn 2-4 hours postloading dose.