The treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy is difficult to manage with relatively limited medication options. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use and side effects of rufinamide, a new generation antiseizure medication, in the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy. Seventy-nine (43 M/ 36 F) patients were included in the study, with a median age of 98.6 (1.5-208) months. The most common seizure types were tonic (n=40, 31.3%), tonicclonic (n=15, 11.7 %) and myoclonic (n=15, 11.7%). Seizures were daily in 89.9% (71) of the patients. The most common etiological factors were structural (n=39, 49.4%) and genetic (n=25, 31.6%). The median follow-up duration was 28.5 (1.5-98.5) months. Twenty-seven (34.2%) patients had ≥50% seizure reduction and 3 (3.8%) were seizure free. During follow-up, 8 (10.1%) patients experienced adverse events including rash (n=2), status epilepticus (n=2), sedation (n=2), vomiting (n=2), thrombocytopenia and eudema (n=1), anorexia (n=1). In patients under 4 years of age, 61.5% experienced ≥50% seizure reduction and 7.7% were seizure free. Rufinamide is an effective antiseizure medication in the treatment of refractory epilepsy from the age of one year and requires careful monitoring for side effects.

Keywords: rufinamide, refractory epilepsy, child, adolescent