Use of ACTH and Prednisolone with Infantile Spasms: The Experience of the Country of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Infantile spasms (IS; West syndrome) is a severe form of epilepsy, a characteristic EEG appearance called hypsarrhythmia, and a high risk of severe developmental delay are other features of the syndrome. Seizures usually begin in the first year of life, often between 3 and 8 months of age. Seizures are difficult to treat, and the long-term outcome for seizure control and child development remains poor. Due to low response rates worldwide, a wide range of drugs are being used to treat IS. However, the two commonly used forms of therapy are adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and prednisone (or prednisone) for the treatment of infantile spasms (IS) in West syndrome. Potentially key early contacts for families are pediatric neurologists, pediatricians, and other pediatric healthcare professionals who have I have a child with West Syndrome. In many countries, ACTH is expensive and difficult to obtain, while the drug prednisone or prednisone is cheap, taken orally and readily available.