Affiliations: Division of Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA | Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Shawn C. Aylward, M.D.,
700 Children's Drive, 43205, Columbus, OH, USA. Tel.: +1 614 722
5153; Fax: +1 614 722 4633; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Benign familial neonatal seizures is an autosomal dominant disorder
characterized by generalized tonic-clonic or partial seizures beginning in the
first three days of life. There have been two variants identified with defects
in potassium channels, KCNQ2 and KCNQ3. We present a case of a 2-day-old male
admitted with seizures. Upon obtaining a family medical history, it was
discovered that there was a multigenerational history of neonatal seizures on
the paternal side beginning at 3 days of life. The child underwent a full
sepsis workup, magnetic resonance imaging, and interictal
electroencephalography. He was discharged on levetiracetam at the parent's
request for a non-sedating medication, only to be re-admitted 36~hr later for
continued seizures. He was eventually well controlled on phenobarbital,
suggesting that levetiracetam may not be the optimal treatment for this condition.
