Treatment of infantile spasms with intravenous gamma-globulins.
In a prospective study, 23 children with infantile spasms received intravenous gammaglobulins in high doses. 19 patients present a West syndrome. 4 older patients were included in the study because infantile spasms had preceded their Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. None of the patients had recently undergone corticosteroid therapy. No effect was observed in 15 patients, while transitory clinical and/or electroencephalographic improvement was noted in 3. Complete normalization was obtained in the remaining 5 patients, of whom 4 had severe brain lesions. No correlation existed between the therapeutic results and immunological abnormalities, a deficiency in IgG subclasses in particular. On the whole, the therapeutic results were disappointing. But the existence of some cases in which spectacular electroencephalographic and/or clinical improvement was obtained leads us to suggest that IV gamma-globulins be used as auxiliary treatment in infantile spasms.
Echenne
B
B
Unité de Neuropédiatrie, Centre Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Dulac
O
O
Parayre-Chanez
M J
MJ
Chiron
C
C
Taillebois
L
L
Cognot
C
C
Andary
M
M
Clot
J
J
Baldy-Moulinier
M
M
D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000009:adverse effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G