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Patients & Caregivers Healthcare Providers

VNS Therapy™ treatment in paediatric patients

Long-term treatment option for children with hard-to-treat seizures1

VNS Therapy is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients whose epileptic disorder is dominated by partial seizures (with or without secondary generalization) or generalized seizures, which are refractory to antiepileptic medications.2

VNS Therapy™ treatment in pediatric patients
Children may benefit from VNS Therapy™ by having fewer, less severe and shorter seizures with improved recovery after seizures3

VNS Therapy™ helps to control seizures

In a study that compared the effects before and after being treated with VNS Therapy for 2 years:
children had fewer seizures

Fewer seizures
shorter seizures

Shorter seizures
less severe seizures

Less severe seizures
better recovery after seizures

Better recovery after seizures

Over 125,000 patients, including over 35,000 children, have been treated with VNS Therapy™ worldwide

VNS Therapy™ has been shown to be associated with a reduction of hospitalisations and health related events4

2-fold-(1).JPG

Incidence rates 6 months pre and up to 3 years post VNS Therapy in 207 adolescents with DRE

The presence of neurodevelopmental impairment is an important variable affecting quality of life for children with DRE and their families5

VNS Therapy™ patients have reported improvements in quality of life6 

Orosz-QoL-Children.JPG

Limitations of the study included its retrospective design, that it was not designed to explicitly include different severities of childhood epilepsies, and that VNS Therapy dosing was not standardised (although it reflected routine clinical practice).

Time isn’t on their side. Treat early.

Time is an important factor in optimising outcomes at a critical period of development for children with DRE.
VNS Therapy™ has proven safety and tolerability profile with side effects reducing over time

Safety Profile

VNS Therapy™ has no drug interactions and does not cause drug-related toxic central nervous system side effects.

Common side effects include hoarseness or change in voice tone, shortness of breath, sore throat, and coughing. Most side effects associated with VNS Therapy occur only during stimulation, tend to diminish over time, or are eliminated by adjusting parameter settings.

The most common side effect of the surgical procedure is infection. Children under 12 may have a greater risk of infection than those 12 years of age and older and may be more likely to experience lead damage due to higher activity levels and the potential to manipulate the lead.

For more safety information click here.


References

1. Morris GL, et al. Neurology. 2013; 81:1453-9.   2. VNS Therapy™ System Epilepsy Physician’s Manual April 2021, 76-0000-5600/8 (OUS)   3. Orosz I et al. Epilepsia. 2014 Oct. 55(10):1576-1584.   4.  Helmers et al Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2012 Sep; 16(5):449-58 
5. Camfield C et al, Epilepsia 2001, 42(1):104–112   6. Orosz I, et al. Epilepsia. 2014;55(10):1576-84,   Patient’s Guide for Epilepsy, November 2021, 1 — 26-0009-9700/4 (OUS)   7. Renfroe et al 2002 Neurology 59 Suppl (4)   8. Soleman et al Epilepsy & Behavior 88 (2018) 139–145

This website is intended for healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom. VNS Therapy™ for drug-resistant epilepsy is not available in all regions - please refer to your country-specific labeling.

© 2025 LivaNova PLC. All Rights Reserved.

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