title: [Selected data from childhood epilepsies. ACTH treatment and ketogenic diet: a critical evaluation].
abstract: The authors have evaluated critically the results of ACTH and ketogenic diet in 122 cases of 'malignant' childhood epilepsies, especially West-syndrome (WS) and Lennox-Gastaut-syndrome (LGS). In agreement with data from the literature about 10% of the idiopathic forms recovered with or without ACTH. In the other cases ACTH caused a transient amelioration of the EEG and/or the spasms; a high-dosage regimen of ACTH was not significantly better than a low-dosage regimen. Fatal complications only occurred in the high-dosage ACTH group. Ketogenic diet in 10 children with LGS seems to have an influence on the LGS-specific seizures but not on the other signs and symptoms of the syndrome. The diet is difficult to maintain and is not free of side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinair Kinderneurologisch Centrum, Sint Radboudziekenhuis, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Renier
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Coultre
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D007657:Ketone Bodies; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
vernacular_title: Capita selecta uit de kinderepilepsieën. ACTH-kuur en ketogeen dieet: een kritische evaluatie.