Successful antiepileptic drug withdrawal in infants with epilepsy and cytomegalovirus neuroinfection: longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: A prospective study estimating antiepileptic and antiviral regimens administered to infants with symptomatic epilepsy and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) neuroinfection followed for at least 4 years.

METHODS: Thirty-two infants (19 female, 13 male) with epileptic seizures and HCMV neuroinfection diagnosed during the first year of life. Detection of HCMV DNA by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood leukocytes, and urine confirmed the diagnosis. Infants were treated with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) and different antiepileptic drugs. All had multiple electroencephalographic and neuroimaging examinations. Outcome of seizures was assessed using Engel classification system in the child's fourth year of life.

RESULTS: Cessation of seizures was achieved in 19 infants (59.4%). In 11 children (34.4%) it was possible to withdraw administration of AEDs after 30-36 months. No infantile spasms, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or polymorphic seizures were observed. They remained seizure-free for 1-6 years without relapse and their psychomotor development was normal. Four patients with intractable epilepsy (class V) had the longest GCV treatment (median 8 weeks). GCV treatment was implemented at the time or within 1 month after the onset of epileptic seizures in 10 of 11 infants withdrawn from AEDs.

CONCLUSION: Early introduction of antiepileptic and antiviral GCV regimens in epilepsy and CMV neuroinfection may result in discontinuation of antiepileptic treatment and normal psychomotor development in infants.