Treatment of infantile spasms with intravenous gamma-globulins

Brain Dev. 1991 Sep;13(5):313-9. doi: 10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80125-2.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive* / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Infant
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spasms, Infantile / immunology
  • Spasms, Infantile / physiopathology
  • Spasms, Infantile / therapy*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G