Infantile spasms associated with theophylline toxicity.
We report on a 6-month-old infant with asthma who developed spasms and hypsarrhythmia on the electroencephalogram (EEG) shortly after starting oral theophylline medication. Theophylline levels at that time were just above the upper normal range. The spasms stopped and the EEG normalized when theophylline was discontinued and nitrazepam therapy started. On follow-up over the next 3 years there was no recurrence of seizures and the child's neurodevelopment has been normal. Nitrazepam was stopped at 10 months and the waking and sleeping EEG were normal at 14 months. We believe that the infantile spasms were caused by theophylline.
Shields
M D
MD
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Northern Ireland.
Hicks
E M
EM
Macgregor
D F
DF
Richey
S
S
D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects*; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013806:Theophylline