Infantile spasms - EEG findings and response to acth therapy

Twenty patients with infantile spasms were treated with ACTH. 18 cases [90%] had severly abnormal EEG and 2 cases [10%] had relatively milder EEG abnormality. Mental retardation was present in 19 cases [95%], most of them [85%] having this before the start of seizures, only one case [5%] had normal development even during seizures. Thirteen patients [65%] had complete control of seizures with ACTH therapy. 4 patients [20%] responded initially but soon showed recurrence. 3 patients [15%] did not respond at all. Nine patients [45%] developed side effects. Only 4 [20%] had serious but manageable side effects of hypertension and hypokalemia