Vagus nerve stimulation for intractable seizures in children

Forty-three children less than 12 years of age having intractable seizures were treated with vagus nerve stimulation. Five children were monitored for < 12 months, 16 children for 12 to 17 months, and 22 children for >= 18 months with overall median seizure reduction of 55%. Thirty-seven percent had at least 90% reduction. Vagus nerve stimulation was effective in children with generalized, mixed, and partial medically refractory seizures. (c) 2006 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.