Levetiracetam Dosing for Neonatal Seizures

This study is looking at how much Levetiracetam (an anti-seizure medication) is safe and effective for treating seizures in newborns. Researchers believe that a higher dose of Levetiracetam than currently used might work better. If your baby is a newborn (up to 1 month old, weighing over 2200g) and is having or at risk for seizures, they might be able to join. The study will start with Levetiracetam and if seizures continue, some babies will receive a higher dose of Levetiracetam while others will receive phenobarbital (another seizure medication). The main goal is to find the highest safe dose of Levetiracetam. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 133 participants.

Study design
This is a Phase IIb, open-label study, meaning both you and the study team will know which treatment your baby is receiving. It involves increasing doses of Levetiracetam and includes a comparison group receiving phenobarbital.
What's involved
Your baby will receive Levetiracetam intravenously (through a vein) and will have continuous video EEG monitoring to check for seizures. If seizures continue, they may be randomized to receive a higher dose of Levetiracetam or phenobarbital.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The main goal of the study, finding the maximum safe and tolerated dose of Levetiracetam, will be measured at 4 years.

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NCT05610085

A Dose Escalation Study of Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Neonatal Seizures

Recruiting
PHASE2Up to 1InterventionalTreatment
University of California, San Diego
~133 participants
Updated 2026-06-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Levetiracetam InjectionPhenobarbital Sodium Injection

At a glance

Recruiting sites
5 of 5 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
The primary endpoint is the maximum safe and tolerated dose of Levetiracetam
Measured over 4 years
Neonatal Seizure
Neonatal Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Seizure Newborn
5 sites across 4 states
Auckland2
California1
Minnesota1
Wellington Region1
  • Sonya G Wang, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota
  • Cynthia M Sharpe, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Auckland City Hospital
  • Jeff J Gold, M.D. PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Diego
  • Richard H Haas, MBBChir · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Diego

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

at risk for seizures or suspected to be having seizures;
all seizure aetiologies except correctable metabolic abnormalities such as hypoglycaemia and hypocalcaemia;
Term neonates (corrected gestational age between 35 and 44 weeks, postnatal age less than 28 days);
weight \> 2200g.
Parental ability to comprehend and provide written informed consent

Exclusion

Cumulative seizure burden of 8 minutes/ hour or more in phases 1 and 2, Cumulative seizure burden of 20 minutes/hour or more in phase 3;
Renal failure defined as anuria in the first 24 hours of life;
Subjects in whom death seems imminent;
Seizures caused by correctable metabolic abnormality, such as hypocalcaemia, hypoglycaemia.
  • The primary endpoint is the maximum safe and tolerated dose of Levetiracetam4 years

    A continual reassessment method will be used to determine the maximal safe and tolerated dose