title: [Treatment of massive spasms with synthetic ACTH].
abstract: Ten infants with infantile spasms (IS) and hypoarrhythmic EEG, received 0.5 mg i.m. of synthetic ACTH, three times a week for 2 weeks. Six of them showed complete remission of seizures and dramatic EEG changes, and 3 cases resulted in a partial response. Spasms were controlled during the first week in 5/6 cases where treatment was successful. A significant relationship was observed between treatment precocity and favourable outcome (Fisher p < 0.02). Synthetic ACTH treatment did not produce severe side effects in any patient. During follow up (X 6.2 m) relapse occurred in one case, with 5 patients maintaining the initial positive response and a normal or mildly retarded psychomotor development. The other five patients show severe psychomotor retardation and intractable spasms and/or other seizures. Future research should focus on the efficacy of other treatment schedules, equilibrating success and side effects.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neuropsicología, Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troncoso
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Troncoso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Novoa
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
vernacular_title: Tratamiento de espasmos masivos con ACTH sintético.