P INFANTILE SPASMS X CSTD

Hypertension Incidence in Children Treated With ACTH or Prednisolone for Infantile Spasms

• This retrospective chart review looked at the incidence and persistence of treatment-related hypertension of 107 children from 2 months to 2 years of age with newly diagnosed infantile spasms who were treated with ACTH, prednisolone, and non-hormonal therapies. Hypertension was noted in 44% of patients during treatment with ACTH and 36% of patients during treatment with prednisolone. No cases of cardiomyopathy were noted among the 16 children who underwent echocardiography. Only 2 children had persistent hypertension at 2 months after discontinuation of hormonal therapy. While hypertension was a common side effect of hormonal therapy for infantile spasms, developing long-term hypertension was rare.

• This is a helpful study for physicians taking care of patients with infantile spasms.