effect of one session endurance running [5000 m] on the level of serum electrolytes

Background: The purpose this study was the effect of one session endurance running [5000 m] on the level of serum electrolytes

Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental, 14 male runners participated in the test, voluntarily. After warm-up, subjects ran distances of 5,000 meters in 23 minutes and participated in the second blood sampling. Photometer and spectrophotometer video device to determine blood electrolytes were used

Results: 5,000-meter run at Tehran's climate caused significant change in serum sodium [p=0/039, t=2/30].Serum calcium levels also rose significantly in the amount of 7/1 percent [p=0/005, t=- 3/37]

Conclusion: the 5000-meter run, Increases in sodium and calcium in the blood serum and Reduces the amount of potassium

impact of music on mood characteristics and performance accuracy in basketball players

Background: In recent years, psychological and physiological effects of music on athletic performance have become an attractive field of research. The present study investigates the effect of various kinds of music on mood characteristics and performance accuracy in skilled and semi-skilled female basketball players

Materials and Methods: The population for this quasiexperimental study consisted of skilled players [League] and semi-skilled players [PE students]. Seventy-two female basketball players [36 skilled and 36 semi-skilled] were selected randomly and assigned to different groups [exciting music, relaxation music, and favorite music]. Data was collected in two days using Brunel mood scale and 5-value Zachary scale for measuring the accuracy of basketball free-throw

Results: ANOVA results show that listening to music improved mood characteristics of participants significantly regardless of their skill level [p=0.012]. The interaction of test and type of music was significant on mood variables [p=0.01]. Favorite music was more effective than exciting music in improving mood properties [p<0.05]. In addition, music improved athletic performance regardless of skill level or type of prescribed music [2.58 +/- 0.093 in pretest vs. 2.88 +/- 0.77 in posttest]. Also, skilled players had significantly higher performance accuracy than semiskilled players [3.23 +/- 0.58 vs. 2.54 +/- 0.79] [p=0.001]

Conclusion: Results showed that negative emotions such as anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, and stress decreased in athletes regardless of the type of music, and positive mood characteristics, such as feeling strong, increased, which is indicative of mood improvement. Also, music improved the performance level regardless of the skill level or the type of prescribed music

Intractable seizure disorders: efficacy of the classic ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low carbohydrate, adequate protein diet, developed in the 1920s for the management of intractable seizure disorders in children. To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of the classic ketogenic diet, we analyzed records of the children started on the diet from 1999 to 2006 at the Mofid children's hospital. The subjects were 87 children, mean age 55 months. Before initiation of the diet, 55% of the patients had seizures, at least 1-4 times per day, 36%-5 or more per day and 9%-2 to 4 times per week. Mean number of Anti Epileptic Drugs [AEDs] tried for them was 8 and 67% were receiving three or more drugs. The ketogenic diet showed drastic improvement, with at least 50% reduction in seizure frequency in 87% of our patients, 39% of whom showed complete seizure control in the third month. After one year, in 80% of the patients who returned, improvement continued, with 26% of them being seizure free; besides, 23% had one AED decreased, 36% had two or three AEDs decreased, and 25% [one child] had all AEDs discontinued. Of the 30 improved cases, 20%, at the end of the first year, had improved behavior as well, and 23% of them had become more alert. The medium diet duration of the improved group was 15 months. The improvement in our patients, low side effects, and the duration of diet by families reveal that the ketognic diet can still be a very useful alternative therapy in certain epileptic children

Primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma [PCNSL] is an extremely rare condition in childhood. We report the first case of PCNSL in a child in Iran. A nine-year-old boy was referred to Mofid Hospital with the history of headache of four months and seizure of 2 months duration. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a hyper-intense lesion in left fronto-parietal area with secondary satellite lesions. Biopsy of the brain mass was performed. Pathologic findings showed brain lymphoma and immunohistochemistry confirmed this diagnosis. The treatment started with intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy

Sodium valproate and phenobarbitol: weight complications of treatment in epileptic children

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of Na Valproate and Phenobarbital on changes in the weight of epileptic patients following treatment for their condition using the drugs mentioned. Sixty epileptics were assigned into two groups of 30 patients each, the case and controls. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] characteristics. BMI was defined. In the case group, the patients received 20mg/kg/day of Na Valproate, while the 30 controls received 5mg/kg/day of Phenobarbital for 6 months. Using the Me Nemar and Chi-2 tests, BMI changes were compared after 6 months between the groups. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the role of age, sex, and primary weight on the weight increase due to Na Valproate usage. There were no specific changes in age, sex, primary BMI and fatness between the 2 groups; in the case group, 20 patients[66.7%] and in the controls 4[13.3%] gained weight [P<0.001]. There were higher chances of weight gain in children who were older and fatter at the beginning of the study [P<0.2]. The results indicate that epileptic children, aged over 10 years, and those who are overweight have more chances of gaining weight or becoming fatter, following treatment with Na Valproate. Further studies investigating the issue are warranted

Myasthenia gravis in Iranian children

Considering the marked difference between the clinical course and management of juvenile myasthenia gravis, congenital/genetic myasthenia gravis and transient neonatal MG, the differential diagnosis is very important. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical spectrum of myasthenia gravis in children and determine the factors helping clinicians in their diagnosis and management of the disease. In a retrospective study from 1994 to 2002, all pediatric patients with myasthenia gravis [MG] admitted to Department of Pediatric Neurology in Mofid Children Hospital affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University were enrolled. Of 32 children, 7 and 25 suffered from congenital and juvenile types of MG, respectively. The initial symptoms in congenital MG were ptosis [7/7], limitation of eye movement [2/7] and mild generalized weakness [6/7]. Although 85% of cases with congenital MG, tested positive for Tensilon test, no myasthenia crisis or spontaneous remission was observed in any of the patients. The female to male ratio was 1.5/1 which was correlated to adult MG. In children with juvenile MG, the mean age was 5.7 +/- 4.2SD years. The most common symptoms were ptosis in 96% and generalized weakness in 76% of the cases. 32% of patients experienced one myasthenia crisis. EMG was diagnosed in 83% and tensilon test was positive in 84% of the cases. One patient had hyperthyroidism and another had hypothyroidism and both were epileptic. Eight patients underwent thymectomy microscopically. Thymic follicular hyperplasia was observed in five cases [62%], and the remaining three cases were normal. 12.5% of patients recovered completely after thymectomy and there was no need for medication during the follow up. 50% of cases showed relative improvement but it was negligible in 37% of patients. This study revealed that thymectomy lacks remarkable prognostic influence

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in childhood; epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis [ADEM], which occurs spontaneously or after systemic viral infection and vaccination mostly affects children. This study aims at describing the epidemiologic, clinical, neuroimaging, laboratory features, treatment and outcome in children who diagnosed as having ADEM and admitted in a referral center in Tehran. This descriptive prospective study was conducted on patients with a diagnosis of ADEM over a period of 30 months, between Sep 2003 and Mar 2006, admitted to the neurology ward of Mofid Pediatric Hospital. All these patients were visited in regular follow-up every 6 months for two years. Eighteen patients with the mean age of 6 years [range 5 months - 12 years] were studied. No sex predominance was noted. Sixty-one percent had prodromal illness, and two patients had been vaccinated before the illness. Thirteen [72%] patients presented in fall or winter. Motor deficits and cranial nerve palsy were the most common features, which had occurred in 13 [72%] patients. Abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid evaluation were detected in 33% of the patients. Brain computed tomography was normal in all but one patient. Electroencephalograms done in nine patients were normal in 54%. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions were most commonly in the subcortical and periventricular areas [76%]. Nine [50%] patients were treated with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. The mortality rate was 5.5%, and the relapse occurred only in one case. In two-thirds of the patients, prognosis for complete recovery was excellent. Childhood ADEM is a benign condition, affecting both sexes equally. Recurrent infections have been its common cause in our center

[Prednisolone therapy in refractory childhood epilepsy]

Steroids are effective medicaions for controlling the infantile spasms, but there have been few reports of steroid effect in other childhood epileptic syndromes, especially refractory syndromes. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of prednisolone in 35 children with intractable epilepsy. This prospective, uncontrolled study was undertaken at the Mofid paediatric Hospital from September 2004 to September 2005. Thirty five children [12 girls and 23 boys], aged bteween 1 to 12 years old with intractable epilepsy were enrolled. Prednisolone [1 mg/kg/day] was prescribed for 12 weeks [Once a day for 6 weeks follwed by every other day for another 6 weeks] in addition to their regular antiepileptic medications. The parents kept seizure diaries. After 1 year of follow up, 17 patients [49%] became seizure-free on prednisolone, whereas another 8 [23%] experienced a significant decreases more than 50% in seizure frequency. In contrast, ten patients [28%] had no changes in seizure frequency. The best response were seen in idiopathic epilepsy [95%] and atypical absence ones [86%]. The least therapeutic effect was seen in symptomatic myoclonic epilepsy [54%]. Side effects such as behavioral disturbances, weight gain and gastrointestinal bleeding were developed in 8 patients and also 14 patients were found to have cushingoid face. All the side effects were regressed after drug discontinuation Prednisolone therapy is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for children with intractable epilepsy and it should be considered as an alternative treatment for older children with refractory epilepsy

[Comparing the effect of valproate and phenobarbital on weight gaining of epileptic children]

Respecting the high incidence of epilepsy among children and several reports coresponding the weight gaining of some during the valproate therapy, this study was conducted in "Mofid Children's Hospital" during 1384 to determine and compare the occurrence and severity of weigh gain among children treated with either valproate or phenobarbital. This clinical trails study was performed studying on 60 epileptic patients. We applied "International League against Epilepsy" classification to diagnose the patients. They were randomly equally divided into two groups [random allocation]. First group was treated with valproate 20 mg/kg/day, whereas second one received Phenobarbital 5 mg/kg/day [in divided dose]. Patients were followed for a six-month period. Body mass index [BMI] was measured at first, 2[nd], 4[th] and 6[th] months of therapy and BMI[6] was compared with expected BMI[6] [according to BMI curve] and the difference of latter two BMIs [BMI[6] and expected BMI[6]] were calculated. McNemar's test was used to compare the weight difference in each group and Chi-square test was applied for between-groups comparison. In valproate-treated patients whose their weights increased, some characteristics [including age, sex and primary weight] were evaluated by Fisher's exact test. Two groups were identical with respect to their age, sex, primary BMI and weight. 4 patients of phenobarbital group [13.3%] versus 20 patients of valproate group [66.7%], had weight gain [P=0.6 and P<0.0001, respectively]. Final-stage data revealed that compared to phenobarbital, valproate resulted in further weight gaining of children and adolescent [P<0.001]. Moreover, in valproate treated group, patients with older age and higher BMI, were more at risk of gaining weight. The risk of weight gainning in epileptic children treated with valproate is high. It seems that in patients above 10 years old and fat patients, this risk become more. We recommend further study to evaluate the effect of valproate on weight of epileptic patients older than 10 years and also fat patients

efficacy of propofol and nlidazolam in treatment of refractory status epilepticus in children

In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of propofol and midazolam in treatment of children's refractory status epilepticus. We recruited 32 patients with refractory status epilepticus. Of those, 16 were treated primarily with midazolam and 16 received propofol. We achieved complete seizure control in 6 [38%] patients treated by midazolam, and in 10 [63%] of 16 patients receiving propofol. After drug withdrawal, seizure recurred in 2 of 6 children who had complete seizure control with midazolam and in 2 of 10 patients who were successfully treated with propofol. Overall treatment with propofol failed in 4 [25%] patients, while in the midazolam group, the failure was 50%. Complications in the midazolam group consisted of bra-dycardia which led to cardiac arrest in one patient who fortunately recovered following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and rise in serum creatine phosphokinase in another. Untoward reactions seen in the propofol group included elevated serum creatine phosphokinase in 5 patients and dyslipidemia in another 5. Untoward reactions in children who received propofol consisted of rise in serum creatine phosphokinase in 5 and increase in serum triglyceride and cholesterol in 5 patients. No significant change was observed in the frequencies of apnea, hypotension, sepsis, electrolyte imbalance and median duration of stay in intensive care unit between the two treatment groups. Propofol, if used appropriately, can quickly and effectively terminate episodes of refractory status epilepticus in children

Myasthenia gravis in iranian children

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical spectrum of myasthenia gravis in children and determine factors that help the clinician in his/her diagnosis and management. A retrospective review was performed on all pediatric patients suffering from myasthenia gravis [M.G] admitted in the department of pediatric neurology of the Mofid Hospital of the Shaheed Beheshti University, between 1994 and 2002. Of the thirty-two children with M.G. enrolled in our study, seven were suffering from the congenital type while the remaining [25 cases] had the juvenile M.G. Initial symptoms of congenital M.G were ptosis [7/7], limitation of eye movement [2/7] and mild generalized weakness [6/7]. Although the Tensilon test was positive in 85% of congenital M.G cases, no myasthenia crisis or spontaneous remission was observed in any of them. In children with juvenile M.G, the age of presentation was 1.2 to 12.5 years, mean age 5.7 +/- 4.2 years [15 girls and 10 boys]. The most common presenting symptoms in juvenile group were ptosis in 96% and generalized weakness in 76%. Eight of them [32%] had had at least one myasthenia crisis. EMG was diagnostic in 83% and the tensilon test was positive in 84%. One patient had hyperthyroidism and had already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism; two of them were epileptics. Eight patients underwent thymectomy microscopically; in specimens examined, five [62%] showed thymic follicular hyperplasia while in remaining three results were normal. One patient [12.5%] recovered completely after thymectomy with no need for medication during the follow up. Four patients [50%] showed relative improvement and in three cases [37%] improvement was negligible. The results showed a female to male ratio of 1.5/1 which was correlated to adult M.G. The most common presenting symptoms consisted of ophtalmoplegia, with bilateral ptosis being the most significant. Although this study revealed that thymectomy lacks any remarkable prognostic influence, all patients had thymectomy within two years of disease onset. Some reports have indicated positive results if surgery was performed within two years of onset of disease

Comparative effects of nitrazepam and ACTH on the treatment of infantile spasm

Infantile spasms [IS] or West syndrome is a convulsive disease characterized by brief, symmetric axial muscle contractions [neck, trunk, and/or extremities]. The therapy universally recognized as most effective in the treatment of IS, is treatment with the adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH] or oral corticosteroids. This therapy however has important side effects. Many studies have sought to find alternative therapies with fewer side effects. Nitrazepam, it has been proven, can be as effective as ACTH in controlling infantile spasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Nitrazepam and ACTH on the treatment of infantile spasms. This randomized controlled clinical trial, enrolled sixty patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated IS; diagnosis was made based on the criteria of The International Classification of Epilepsies of the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE]. Prior to treatment, all patients underwent EEGs and CT scans. Patients were randomized to receive 0.5-1 mg/kg NZP in three daily doses or 40 IU Depot ACTH in a single morning dose. Complete cessation of spasms was considered to be as optimal response. Of the sixty patients studied, 24 [40%] were girls and 36[60%] were boys. There were no differences between the both groups regarding age and sex [non-significant]. Following treatments, at the end of the 6-week duration therapy, optimal response [Cessation of spasms] was obtained in 19 [63%] patients of NZP group and 9 [30%] patients of ACTH group, [P<0.05]. ACTH side effects were more pronounced than those of NZP; Most patients in this group, developed cushingoid features [moon face 93%, weight gain 100%][P<0.05]; a few patients,all from the ACTH group, developed hypertension [P<0.05]. The side effects of nitrazepam were drowsiness 33%, hypotonia 10%, infection 20%, and hypersalivation 93%. EEG anomalies had disappeared in 47% of NZP patients and in 30% of ACTH patients [P>0.05]. This study supports the belief that NZP offers an effective and possibly safer therapy than ACTH, for the management of IS and that the therapeutic response, if imminent, can be detected within 4-6 weeks of treatment. Clinicians should consider using NZP as a first-line therapy for IS

Febrile convulsion: another look at an old subject

Febrile convulsion [FC], an occurrence frequently encountered in everyday practice, is discussed in this article with a review of corresponding literature. Taking into account the extent of debate on the topic, from FC being considered a kind of epileptic seizure to its being viewed as a nonepileptic phenomenon, our aim is not to be judgmental regarding its nature in the present writing. Two distinct groups of children, who convulse with fever are described; one, the group whose neurological status is suboptimal and the other children who one who enjoy good health. In this review, the clinical aspects of management of fever, a forerunner of a seizure are emphasized. The other important aspect of handling a case of febrile convulsion consists of controlling the seizure, which should be done without any delay when it occurs. Nowadays, the drugs of choice are diazepines, used via the rectal, buccal or intranasal routes. The most important area of investigation is lumbar puncture in a child who has had a febrile convulsion, which will be discussed at the end

Vitamin B6 and treatment of infantile spasms: a comparison with standard steroid therapy

Considering the inadequacies of current therapeutic regimens for infantile spasms [IS], and the frequent and serious side effects of Some regimens, the ongoing search for more enhanced protocols is understandable. We have compared the therapeutic and adverse effects of vitamin B6 given in high doses with those of prednisolone in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Vitamin B6 [40mg/kg/24hr] and prednisolone [1.5mg/kg/day] were given to in 22 and 15 patients respectively, and the patients were followed for at least 6 months. Response to treatment was slightly better in the prednisolone group but the difference was not significant [p=0.4]. On the other hand adverse effects were also seen more frequently with prednisolone. We conclude that high dose vitamin B6 should be considered as an alternative method of treatment; it seems that it can be safely used where there is contraindication to use other antiepileptic drugs or where they have failed; even in newly diagnosed cases of IS

High and low dose IVIG therapy in guillainbarre-syndrome children: a comparison

Acute inflammatory demyelinating peripheral neuropathy [Guillain-Barre-Syndrome] is by far the most common cause of immune-medicated peripheral nervous system disease in children; with the near disappearance of poliomyelitis, GBS is responsible for the great majority of cases of acute flaccid paralysis. So far, in several controlled studies, corticosteroids, plasmapheresis and IVIG have been utilized in pediatric patients, afflicted with GBS. Regarding IVIG therapy, two methods have been used; the high dose [1 gr/kg/day for 2 days], and the low dose [400mg/kg/day for 5 days]. Review of literature shows that a faster rate of recovery can be accomplished in patients who receive total dose of IVIG in 2 days as compared to the dose being given over 5 days. In this study we have compared these two types of treatment in an investigation, conducted in the Mofid Children Hospital on pediatric patients who had sudden onset of acute flaccid paralysis, and were diagnosed as having GBS. Based on histories, physical examination and electrodiagnosis, subjects were divided in two groups, the high dose IVIG treatment, 1gr/kg/day for 2 days [experimental group], and the low dose IVIG treatment, 400 mg/kg/day for 5 days [control group]. Statistical analyses were then carried out using the appropriate software. Result of this study showed a faster rate of recovery for patients in the high dose IVIG group; in this group duration of weakness of limbs was shorter and returning of DTR was faster than in controls. In fact, in this type of treatment, the relationship between high dose IVIG therapy and drug side effects was not significant. Base upon the finding in the present study, we conclude that the high dose IVIG therapy is superior to low dose, in view of faster duration of recovery and shorter hospital stay. Also we may infer that shorter hospital stay could be a factor in reducing of more nasocomial infection. In conclusion, we suggest using high dose IVIG treatment of choice in GBS

100 children with acute ataxia; a survey in Mofid children's hospital

The term "Ataxia" refers to disturbances of body posture and movement that are normally controlled by the cerebellum, frontal lobes and the posterior columns of the spinal cord. The primary symptom and the most prominent feature of ataxia is abnormal gait which is characterized by lurching and wide base walking. Ataxia was considered acute, if it had occurred within the two preceding weeks. Knowing how frightening acute-onset Ataxia is for the family is not surprising that the condition prompts an immediate visit to the physician. In view of the lack of information in our country, on the etiology of sudden-onset Ataxia, the authors enrolled 100 children with the chief complaint of acute loss of equilibrium, who came to the attention of the Pediatric Neurology Department over a two year duration [Sept.2001-Sept 2003]; they were admitted to the Mofid Children's' Hospital and all necessary investigations were carried out. The results revealed that Acute Cerebellar Ataxia was the most common cause of the problem, the second most frequent being drug intoxication, which most commonly occurred in patients, 2-4years old. The remaining causative factors in order of descending frequency consisted of infectious polyneuropathy, migraine, opsoclonus-myoclonus, brain tumor, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy

32 cases of pseudotumor cerebri in two pediatric hospitals of Tehran, Iran

Pseudotumor Cerbri [PTC] is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased Intra-Cranial Pressure [ICP] without any evidence of a mass lesion or any obstructive process. The incidence is 0.9-2 per 100.000 people. It is more frequent in adults in the 20-30 years age group, especially obese women, and less common in pediatric age groups; 11-16 years old children may however suffer from PTC, with no difference in the rates of occurrence in either sex. In this descriptive retrospective study we reviewed the files of 32 children with diagnosis of PTC admitted during the past 15 years in the neurology ward of the Mofid Children's Hospital [25] and Ali Asghar Children Hospitals [7] between the years 1988 and 2003. The results of this study revealed that children in the 5-10 years age group, girls in particular, are more vulnerable. The most frequent complaints that brought these patients to physician included headache, vomiting and strabismus. Common findings of neurological examination were papilledema, abducent nerve palsy and ataxic gait. While all cases recovered with medical treatment, one did need surgical intervention. Abbreviations; Pseudotumor Cerbri = PTC; Intra Cranial pressure = ICP

[Risk of seizure recurrence following an initial acute unprovoked seizure in children]

This study was aimed to assess the rate of recurrence after the first unprovoked seizure in children. In a prospective study, we recruited 145 children who presented with primary unprovoked seizure and were followed for at least 12 months after the first seizure. Seventy five children [51.7%] experienced subsequent seizures. The cumulative risk of seizure recurrence following the first seizure was 16.5%, 35%, 47% and 51.7% at 1, 6, 12, 24 months, respectively. The median time for repeated seizure was 5.4 months with 67% of recurrences occurring within the initial 6 months, 92% within 1 year and 100% before the end of two years. On multivariable analysis, risk factors for resumption of seizure comprised of abnormal electroencephalography [EEG] and age greater than ten years at the time of occurrence of the first seizure. On unvariable analysis, etiology of seizure, history of neonatal problems and lack of AED [Antiepileptic drugs] usage increased risk of recurrence. This study revealed that the risk of seizure recurrence in our patients was relatively high. Those with abnormal electroencephalography and age greater than ten years at the time of occurrence of the first seizure were at greater risk for recurrence of seizures

Developmental age of children in Tehran first year of life in tehran

The differentiation of human being in the life that leads to somatic, mental and social maturation is called development. The rate of development in childhood is more rapid than other stages of life, particularly during the first year, which is the fastest. We decided to evaluate the developmental quotient in 6500 infants, because to the best of our recollection, there has not been a longitudinal study accessing this subject in the first year of life in a large group of children in our country. This shortcoming prompted us to undertake this investigation. We studied the developmental age in respect, of grasping, crawling, sitting, walking and social age. The cases that have been studied were consisted of the healthy children who were referred to Tehran health and vaccination centers. Those who had a definite organic diseases or a clear cut neurodevelopment delay were excluded. Therefore, the infants who were considered completely healthy children were enrolled in our study. To evaluate the developmental age of different skills, we used "Munich functional diagnostic" as our assessment test. The result showed that developmental age had relationship to the following factors: maternal educational level, socioeconomic status of the family, the environment which the child was taken care there, and supplementation of iron, vitamins and additional food. At the conclusion of our study we found that the age of development in Iranian children was earlier than Germans infants during the first year of life, as median of developmental quotient was 115.41. Also it was true about the median age of acquiring different skills as follow: Grasping, crawling, sitting, walking, perception, speech reception, speech expression, and social interaction

[Comparing high dose vitamin B6 with corticotherapy in infantile spasm]

Background: since present available treatments for infantile spasms [JS] are far from adequate, and also side effects of the current therapeutic regimens are frequent and serious, the ongoing search for better protocols is understandable

Methods and Materials: we compared the therapeutic and adverse effects of vitamin B6 given in high doses with prednisolone in a randomized controlled double blind clinical trial. Vitamin B6 [40mg/kg/24hr] and prednisolone [1.5mg/kg/day] were tried in 22 and 15 patients respectively, and the patients were followed for at least 6 months

Results: response to treatment was slightly better in the prednisolone group but the difference was not significant [P=0.4]. On the other hand adverse effects were also seen more frequently with prednisolone

Conclusions: we conclude that high dose vitamin B6 should be looked at as a justified and worth trying method of treatment it seems that it can be safely used where there is contraindication to use other antiepileptic drugs or where they have failed, and even in fresh cases of IS