[Monotherapy with vigabatrin in the treatment of West's syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Vigabatrin (VGB) was specifically synthesized to enhance inhibitory GABAergic transmission by elevating GABA levels via irreversible inhibition of GABA transaminase.


METHODS
This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of VGB introduced as monotherapy in 26 children fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of West syndrome. Duration of follow-up was 24 months.


RESULTS
Following the introduction of VGB, 13 patients became seizure free, a special efficacy in one case of tuberous sclerosis. Relapses of infantile spasms occurred in 8 infants, generalized seizures developed in 4 infants, and partial seizures in 3, of whom 2 were eventually rendered seizure-free by increasing the dose. EEG features and age affecting the response rate. VGB has been well tolerated in children with agitation being the most commonly reported side effects, and one case required discontinuation of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
VGB seems to be an effective an safe antiepileptic drug as primary monotherapy for West syndrome.
Rufo
M
M
Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Infantil Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España.
Santiago
C
C
Castro
E
E
Ocaña
O
O
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D020888:Vigabatrin