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Infantile spasms: seasonal onset differences and zeitgebers
M A Cortez1, W M Burnham, P A Hwang
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Infantile spasms (IS) onset in infants occurred more frequently during winter months with shorter daylight hours and lower global solar radiation. Environmental light cues may influence the timing of infantile spasms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Environmental Medicine
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Infantile spasms (IS) are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
- The etiology of IS is complex, involving genetic and environmental factors.
- Environmental factors, such as photoperiod, may influence the timing of neurological events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infantile spasms onset and environmental factors.
- To examine the influence of calendar month, photoperiod, and global solar radiation (GSR) on IS onset.
- To determine if environmental photoperiodic factors act as zeitgebers for IS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of health records for 76 infants diagnosed with infantile spasms.
- Analysis of IS onset distribution based on calendar month, annual photoperiod changes, and global solar radiation (GSR).
Main Results:
- IS onset was significantly more frequent during months with low GSR and short photoperiods (winter months).
- The highest frequency of IS onset occurred in December and January (29%).
- IS onset was 2.2-fold greater in months with short photoperiods and low GSR compared to months with long photoperiods and high GSR.
Conclusions:
- Environmental photoperiodic factors, such as day length and solar radiation, may play a role in triggering infantile spasms.
- Seasonal variations in light exposure could influence the onset of IS.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of environmental zeitgebers in infantile spasms.
Abstract:
The health records of 76 infants with infantile spasms (IS) were reviewed retrospectively. The distribution of seizure onset was examined with respect to calendar month, annual changes in day length (photoperiod), and global solar radiation (GSR). IS onset was more frequent during the months with low GSR and short photoperiods. The greatest frequency of IS onset was in December and January (22 cases, 29%); the lowest was in April and May (8 cases, 10.5%). IS onset frequency (f) was more than twice as great in the months with a short photoperiod (10Light-14Dark) and a low GSR (f = 11) as compared with months with a long photoperiod (16Light-8Dark) and a high GSR (f = 5). IS onset frequency was 2.2-fold greater in months with a short photoperiod and a low GSR. This finding suggests that environmental photoperiodic factors (zeitgebers) may play a role in the onset of IS.