There are no guidelines or studies evaluating duration of anti-epileptic drugs in central nervous system infections. The duration of anti-epileptic drug is extrapolated from traumatic brain injury in which duration of 1 weeks to 3 months is suggested. So the investigators plan to conduct this study to decide the optimal duration of anti-epileptic drug in acute symptomatic seizure in central nervous system infections
Demography data, seizure details at diagnosis of acute encephalitis syndrome, details of etiology, neuroimaging findings and electroencephalography. A detailed neurological examination will be done in all participants and asked for seizure semiology at admission. Seizure details include seizure type, duration, number of seizures, number of days for which seizures were recurring, status epilepticus, encephalopathy in between seizures. After the initial assessment participants would be randomized into 2 groups: Group 1: Anti-epileptic drug for 4 weeks followed by taper in 10-14days and Group 2: Anti-epileptic drug for 12 weeks followed by tapering over 10-14days. The primary outcome would be be to study the seizure relapse rate (proportion) after stopping anti-epileptic drugs in participants with acute symptomatic seizure given 4weeks and 12 weeks anti-epileptic drug therapy in the two study groups. Clinical status will be assessed at enrollment as defined by Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category, Pediatric overall Performance Category and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatric Version (GOS-P)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Anti-epileptic drug (as used by treating physician for management of acute symptomatic seizure) for 4 weeks followed by taper in 10-14days
Anti-epileptic drug (as used by treating physician for management of acute symptomatic seizure) for 12 weeks followed by taper in 10-14days
Seizure relapse rate
Seizure relapse rate (proportion of participants) developing seizures after randomization
Time frame: 6 months
Correlation of EEG findings at time of stoppage of anti-epileptic drug with seizure recurrence
Correlation of EEG at randomization and seizure recurrence will be done
Time frame: 6 months
Factors associated with seizure recurrence
Factors associated with seizure recurrence in the two groups
Time frame: 6 months
Seizure relapse rate
Seizure relapse rate (proportion of participants) developing seizures after randomization
Time frame: 12 months
Seizure relapse rate
Seizure relapse rate (proportion of participants) developing seizures after randomization
Time frame: 18 months
Seizure relapse rate
Seizure relapse rate (proportion of participants) developing seizures after randomization
Time frame: 24 months
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