Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Infantile spasms: outcome and prognostic factors of cryptogenic and symptomatic groups

B Koo1, P A Hwang, W J Logan

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Neurology
|November 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Infantile spasms impact development and neurologic outcomes. Symptomatic cases show poorer outcomes than cryptogenic ones, influenced by factors like other seizures and treatment delays.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Infantile spasms are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
  • Distinguishing between cryptogenic and symptomatic causes is crucial for prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze developmental, neurologic, and seizure outcomes in infantile spasms.
  • To identify prognostic factors influencing outcomes in both cryptogenic and symptomatic cases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 57 infantile spasms cases.
  • Assessment using Griffith Mental Developmental Scale and clinical evaluation.
  • Analysis of prognostic factors including seizure type, neurologic deficits, and treatment response.

Main Results:

  • Symptomatic infantile spasms had significantly lower developmental scores than cryptogenic cases.
  • Neurologic deficits were more prevalent in the symptomatic group (75%) compared to cryptogenic (23.5%).
  • Outcome was negatively affected by coexisting seizures, neurologic deficits, delayed treatment, poor ACTH response, and persistent EEG abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • Symptomatic infantile spasms carry a poorer prognosis than cryptogenic forms.
  • Early intervention and management of associated factors are critical for improving outcomes in infantile spasms.

More Related Videos

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe06:04

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe

Published on: August 16, 2024

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Tetanus01:29

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.