ACTH and prednisone in childhood seizure disorders.
We treated 116 children with ACTH or prednisone. Fifty-two had infantile spasms with hypsarhythmia, and 64 had other types of intractable seizures. ACTH completely controlled seizures in all patients with infantile spasms and hypsarhythmia and 74% of those with other types of seizures. Prednisone controlled 51% of patients with infantile spasms and none with other seizures. Serious side effects were minimal for both drugs, and recurrent seizures occurred in 40 to 50% of patients within 4 to 14 months after completion of therapy.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011241:Prednisone