Eslicarbazepine Acetate (BIA 2 093) as Therapy for Refractory Partial Seizures in Children

Inclusion Criteria: * girls of child-bearing potential have to follow reliable and medically acceptable contraceptive method throughout the study * diagnosis of epilepsy for at least 6 months prior to enrolment * at least 4 partial-onset seizures in the last month prior to enrolment despite stable therapy with adequate dosage of 1 or 2 AEDs * at least 4 partial-onset seizures during each 4-week interval of the 8-week baseline period * previous treatment with three or more AEDs, in their maximum tolerated doses, for at least one month, without seizure control * current treatment with 1 or 2 AEDs (any except oxcarbazepine); if present, vagus nerve stimulation is considered an AED * stable dose regimen of AEDs during the 8-week baseline period * cooperation and willingness to complete all aspects of the study, including hospitalisation if required * written informed consent to participate in the study in accordance with local legislation Exclusion Criteria: * primarily generalised seizures * baseline seizure frequency substantially different from usual seizure frequency * known progressive neurological disorders * history of status epilepticus within the 3 months prior to enrolment * seizures of non-epileptic origin * Lennon-Gastaut * West syndrome * Major psychiatric disorders * Previous treatment any study with Eslicarbazepine acetate