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Spastic diplegia and other motor disturbances in infants receiving interferon-alpha

André-Paul Michaud1, Nancy M Bauman, Diane K Burke

  • 1University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

The Laryngoscope
|July 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-alfa (IFN) use in infants under one year old is linked to spastic diplegia and motor disturbances. Discontinuing therapy may improve motor issues, but spastic diplegia is irreversible.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Interferon-alfa (IFN) is a therapeutic agent used in treating various conditions in children, including chronic hepatitis and vascular neoplasms.
  • The potential neurological side effects of IFN therapy in pediatric populations require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between interferon-alfa (IFN) treatment and the development of spastic diplegia in children.
  • To determine the frequency of neurological complications, specifically spastic diplegia and other motor developmental disturbances, following IFN therapy in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A meta-analysis of 600 English manuscripts published between January 1991 and June 2002 was conducted.
  • Data from 3,113 children (≤18 years) and an estimated 3,055 children (≤12 years) receiving IFN therapy were analyzed.
  • Neurological examinations were used to diagnose spastic diplegia or other motor developmental disturbances.

Main Results:

  • Among 441 children treated for vascular lesions, 11 developed spastic diplegia and 16 developed motor developmental disturbances, all under one year of age at therapy initiation.
  • Motor developmental disturbances showed improvement upon cessation of IFN therapy, whereas spastic diplegia did not resolve.
  • No neurological complications were observed in children treated for chronic hepatitis, though only 49 were under one year old at therapy initiation.

Conclusions:

  • Interferon-alfa (IFN) use in infants under one year of age should be strictly limited to life-threatening conditions unresponsive to other treatments.
  • Monthly neurological examinations are recommended for children undergoing IFN therapy.
  • Early detection and discontinuation of IFN therapy are crucial if motor developmental disturbances arise.
Abstract

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