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Use of valproic acid in treatment of infantile spasms
Insights
Valproic acid effectively controlled infantile spasms in about 40% of infants, with fewer and milder side effects compared to corticotropin. This suggests valproic acid is a viable treatment option for infantile spasms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile spasms are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
- Treatment options for infantile spasms include hormonal therapies and antiepileptic drugs.
- Valproic acid is a commonly used antiepileptic drug with a known safety profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of valproic acid in treating infantile spasms.
- To compare the outcomes of valproic acid treatment with historical data or concurrent treatments like corticotropin.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 19 infants diagnosed with infantile spasms was treated with valproic acid over two years.
- Eleven infants also received purified corticotropin, but not concurrently with valproic acid.
- Treatment response and adverse events were monitored.
Main Results:
- Approximately 40% of infants achieved good control of infantile spasms with valproic acid.
- Valproic acid was associated with infrequent and generally minor side effects.
- Response rates to valproic acid appeared lower than corticotropin, but side effect incidence and severity were significantly less.
Conclusions:
- Valproic acid demonstrates a favorable safety profile for managing infantile spasms.
- While potentially less effective than corticotropin in some cases, valproic acid offers a safer alternative with manageable side effects.
- Valproic acid is a valuable therapeutic option for infantile spasms, particularly when considering risk-benefit profiles.
Abstract:
Nineteen babies with infantile spasms were treated with valproic acid over a two-year period. Eleven of the patients were also treated with purified corticotropin, but in no cases were the two drugs used simultaneously. Approximately 40% of the patients had good control of their infantile spasms with valproic acid. Side effects from valproic acid in these babies were not frequent and were, for the most part, minor. Though the percentage of infants with infantile spasms responding to valproic acid may be less than the percentage responding to corticotropin, the incidence and severity of side effects are less with valproic acid.