Could a higher dose of a common seizure drug better protect newborn brains?

NCT ID NCT05610085

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a higher-than-usual dose of the seizure medicine levetiracetam can safely stop seizures in newborns. About 133 full-term infants with seizures will first receive a standard dose, and if seizures continue, they will be randomly assigned to get either a higher dose of levetiracetam or the usual drug phenobarbital. The goal is to find the safest effective dose to control seizures and potentially reduce brain damage.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: levetiracetam (a seizure medicine)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could establish a safer, more effective dose of levetiracetam to control seizures in newborns, potentially reducing brain injury.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase dose-finding study, so the best dose and safety are still unknown. The trial is small (133 infants) and results may not apply to all seizure types or severities.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain hypoxia - ischemia perinatal asphyxia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY NEONATAL ENCEPHALOPATHY NEONATAL SEIZURE SEIZURE NEWBORN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Auckland City Hospital
RECRUITING

Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
Capital and Coast District Health Board, Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand
RECRUITING

Wellington, Wellington Region, 6021, New Zealand
Middlemore Hospital
RECRUITING

Auckland, Auckland, 1050, New Zealand
University of California, San Diego
RECRUITING

San Diego, California, 92093, United States
University of Minnesota
RECRUITING

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

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