Vitamin E as Add-on Therapy for Uncontrolled Epilepsy in Children

This study aims to find out if vitamin E can help children with epilepsy experience fewer seizures. Epilepsy is a condition that affects children, with about 20-30% not having their seizures well-controlled by standard medications. While there are other options like newer medications, a special diet, and surgery, not all patients are suitable for these. Hence, there's a need for additional treatments to improve seizure control. Previous studies in animals and some children have suggested that vitamin E might help reduce seizures, but more research is needed to confirm this. The study will involve 50 children from the Children's Epilepsy Program in Denver, Colorado, all of whom have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy that isn't well-controlled with standard medications. During the 6-month study, participants will either receive vitamin E or a placebo (a fake pill/liquid) in two phases, with the order decided by chance. Participants will take the liquid vitamin E or placebo twice a day, and both they and their doctors won't know who is taking vitamin E and who is taking the placebo. Participants will need to visit the hospital for 3 outpatient and 2 inpatient visits, where they'll fill out health-related quality of life questionnaires and have blood drawn. Throughout the study, participants will also keep a diary of their seizures. The study will only continue if the doctor believes it's best for the patient, and all other medications and therapies must remain constant throughout.