Infantile spasms

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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations
05:04

Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations

Published on: February 2, 2024

G B Bobele1, J B Bodensteiner

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City.

Neurologic Clinics
|August 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Infantile spasms are a serious infant seizure disorder. Early treatment with ACTH can control seizures in most infants, but physicians must monitor for side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Infantile spasms represent a significant seizure disorder in infants.
  • The condition has varied causes, often linked to central nervous system disturbances during critical developmental periods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the understanding of infantile spasms, including their etiology, prognosis, and treatment.
  • To highlight the role of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in managing infantile spasms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on infantile spasms.
  • Analysis of the efficacy and side effect profile of ACTH therapy.

Main Results:

  • Prognosis for intellectual and neurological development is closely tied to the underlying cause of the spasms.
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment can achieve seizure control in a majority of affected infants.

Conclusions:

  • Early and appropriate ACTH treatment is a key strategy for managing infantile spasms.
  • Physicians must be vigilant in anticipating and managing potential side effects associated with ACTH therapy.

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