PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mudhawi Alhiniah
AU  - Asma Alshahrani
AU  - Renad Rajab
AU  - Rakan Alelyani
AU  - Atheer Badawi
AU  - Abrar Abbar
AU  - Mashael Abdulsbhan
AU  - Amir Alrajhi
AU  - Osama Muthaffar
AU  - Mohammed Jan
TI  - Treatment of drop attacks: Anti-seizure drug choices of pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia
AID  - 10.17712/nsj.2023.3.20230008
DP  - 2023 Jul 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 170--176
VI  - 28
IP  - 3
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/28/3/170.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/28/3/170.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2023 Jul 01; 28
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate Epileptic drop attacks (EDAs) treatment options among pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia (SA) and to develop a recommendation scheme for the management of EDAs in SA. Epileptic drop attacks are one of the most pharmaco-resistant epileptic seizures. The different approaches to EDA treatment are influenced by a variety of factors, including pharmaceutical availability, costs, side effects, treating physicians’ experience and personal preferences.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted online. A structured questionnaire that aimed to measure the therapeutic options for patients with EDA was electronically distributed to pediatric neurologists across SA. It contained 21 questions, and the data were collected in Excel sheets and analyzed.Results: Our study included a cohort of 71 pediatric neurologists from SA, of which male doctors represented 60%. Most of the participating pediatric neurologists had more than 10 years of experience in the field. We found that 77% of the included pediatric neurologists used valproic acid as a first-line drug in patients with EDA. Further, in the different case scenarios provided to participants, levetiracetam, clobazam, topiramate, and rufinamide were included in the initial management protocol for EDA.Conclusion: The majority of pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia chose valproic acid and/or levetiracetam as the first line of treatment for EDA. These results highlight the need for an evidence-based clinical guidelines to treat EDA.