Antiepileptic drugs in the management of neonatal clinical paroxysmal events

Clinical paroxysmal events (CPE) management in the neonate requires a well organized approach. This approach consists of supporting vital functions, establishing etiologic and pathogenic specific therapy, selecting patients with epileptogenic paroxysmal events by the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) or polygraphic video telemetry and initiating antiepileptogenic drugs in these patients. Empirical treatment of CPE should be discouraged. Treatment of neonates with CPE in the absence of EEG confirmation and no availability of polygraphic videotelemetry is based on description and recordings of events.