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The use of felbamate to treat infantile spasms

D L Hurst1, T D Rolan

  • 1Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|March 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Felbamate effectively resolved infantile spasms in three of four infants who previously failed other treatments. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm felbamate

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Infantile spasms (IS) are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
  • Tuberous sclerosis is one etiology of IS.
  • Conventional therapies for IS often fail.

Observation:

  • Felbamate was initially successful in an infant with tuberous sclerosis and IS.
  • Three additional infants with IS and different etiologies were treated with felbamate after failing other therapies.

Findings:

  • Three of four infants experienced complete resolution of infantile spasms within one week of felbamate treatment.
  • One patient showed initial improvement but not long-term response.
  • Felbamate appears promising for treating infantile spasms.

Implications:

  • Felbamate may be a viable treatment option for refractory infantile spasms.
  • Further controlled clinical trials are necessary to establish safety and efficacy.
  • The potential progression of IS to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, for which felbamate is approved, supports its consideration in IS management.

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