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Macdonald-Laurs E, Dzau W, Warren AEL, Coleman M, Mignone C, Stephenson SEM, Howell KB. Identification and treatment of surgically-remediable causes of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:661-680. [PMID: 38814860 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2360117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a common developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with poor long-term outcomes. A substantial proportion of patients with IESS have a potentially surgically remediable etiology. Despite this, epilepsy surgery is underutilized in this patient group. Some surgically remediable etiologies, such as focal cortical dysplasia and malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia in epilepsy (MOGHE), are under-diagnosed in infants and young children. Even when a surgically remediable etiology is recognised, for example, tuberous sclerosis or focal encephalomalacia, epilepsy surgery may be delayed or not considered due to diffuse EEG changes, unclear surgical boundaries, or concerns about operating in this age group. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss the common surgically remediable etiologies of IESS, their clinical and EEG features, and the imaging techniques that can aid in their diagnosis. They then describe the surgical approaches used in this patient group, and the beneficial impact that early epilepsy surgery can have on developing brain networks. EXPERT OPINION Epilepsy surgery remains underutilized even when a potentially surgically remediable cause is recognized. Overcoming the barriers that result in under-recognition of surgical candidates and underutilization of epilepsy surgery in IESS will improve long-term seizure and developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Macdonald-Laurs
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Winston Dzau
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Aaron E L Warren
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Coleman
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cristina Mignone
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah E M Stephenson
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine B Howell
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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van der Louw E, Trimmel-Schwahofer P, Devlin A, Armeno M, Thompson L, Cross JH, Auvin S, Dressler A. Human milk and breastfeeding during ketogenic diet therapy in infants with epilepsy: Clinical practice guideline. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38669468 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is a safe and effective treatment for epilepsy and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) deficiency syndrome in infancy. Complete weaning from breastfeeding is not required to implement KDT; however, breastfeeding remains uncommon. Barriers include feasibility concerns and lack of referrals to expert centres. Therefore, practical strategies are needed to help mothers and professionals overcome these barriers and facilitate the inclusion of breastfeeding and human milk during KDT. A multidisciplinary expert panel met online to address clinical concerns, systematically reviewed the literature, and conducted two international surveys to develop an expert consensus of practical recommendations for including human milk and breastfeeding in KDT. The need to educate about the nutritional benefits of human milk and to increase breastfeeding rates is emphasized. Prospective real-world registries could help to collect data on the implementation of breastfeeding and the use of human milk in KDT, while systematically including non-seizure-related outcomes, such as quality of life, and social and emotional well-being, which could improve outcomes for infants and mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elles van der Louw
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dietetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Trimmel-Schwahofer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- European Reference Network, EpiCARE
| | - Anita Devlin
- Paediatric Neurology, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marisa Armeno
- Department of Nutrition, Hospital de Pediatria Prof. Dr. J.P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lindsey Thompson
- Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- European Reference Network, EpiCARE
- APHP, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Cité, INSERM Neuro Diderot, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Anastasia Dressler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- European Reference Network, EpiCARE
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Ramani PK, Briscoe Abath C, Donatelli S, Hadjinicolaou A, Vega Toro S, Acevedo K, Astorga KR, Parbhoo K, Singh A, Catenaccio E, Jain P, Sahu JK, Samanta D, Harini C. Initial combination versus early sequential standard therapies for Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome-Feedback from stakeholders. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:819-822. [PMID: 38217384 PMCID: PMC10984285 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kumar Ramani
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric NeurologyUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Christina Briscoe Abath
- Division of Pediatric NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Stephanie Donatelli
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Aristides Hadjinicolaou
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Comprehensive Epilepsy ProgramCHU Sainte‐JustineMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Sebastian Vega Toro
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of PediatricsHospital Carlos Van BurenValparaísoChile
| | - Keryma Acevedo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Division of PediatricsPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Karina Rosso Astorga
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of PediatricsHospital Carlos Van BurenValparaísoChile
| | - Kaajal Parbhoo
- Division of Paediatric NeurologyNelson Mandela Children's HospitalJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Avantika Singh
- Department of Neurology, Division of Child NeurologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Eva Catenaccio
- Division of Pediatric NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Puneet Jain
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy ProgramHospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jitendra Kumar Sahu
- Pediatric Neurology UnitPostgraduate Institute of Medical Education & ResearchChandigarhIndia
| | - Debopam Samanta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric NeurologyUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Chellamani Harini
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Hollenshead PP, Jackson CN, Cross JV, Witten TE, Anwar AI, Ahmadzadeh S, Shekoohi S, Kaye AD. Treatment modalities for infantile spasms: current considerations and evolving strategies in clinical practice. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:507-514. [PMID: 37736852 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Infantile spasms, newly classified as infantile epileptic spasm syndrome (IESS), occur in children under 2 years of age and present as an occur as brief, symmetrical, contractions of the musculature of the neck, trunk, and extremities. When infantile spasms occur with a concomitant hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalogram (EEG) and developmental regression, it is known as West Syndrome. There is no universally accepted mainstay of treatment for this condition, but some options include synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), repository corticotropin injection (RCI/Acthar Gel), corticosteroids, valproic acid, vigabatrin, and surgery. Without effective treatment, infantile spasms can cause an impairment of psychomotor development and/or cognitive and behavioral functions. The first-line treatment in the USA is ACTH related to high efficacy for cessation of infantile spasms long-term and low-cost profile. Acthar Gel is a repository corticotropin intramuscular injection that became FDA-approved for the treatment of IESS in 2010. Though it is believed that ACTH, Acthar Gel, and corticosteroids all work via a negative feedback pathway to decrease corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) release, their safety and efficacy profiles all vary. Vigabatrin and valproic acid are both anti-seizure medications that work by increasing GABA concentrations in the CNS and decreasing excitatory activity. Acthar Gel has been shown to have superior efficacy and a diminished side effect profile when compared with other treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payton P Hollenshead
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Corrie N Jackson
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Jordan V Cross
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Taylor E Witten
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Ahmed I Anwar
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT, 06518, USA
| | - Shahab Ahmadzadeh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Sahar Shekoohi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neurosciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
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Lockard TJ, Rathore G. A Case of Vigabatrin Toxicity Mimicking Bilateral Thalamic Infarcts on MRI. Cureus 2023; 15:e45049. [PMID: 37829947 PMCID: PMC10566640 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A 20-month-old female with a past medical history of tuberous sclerosis, epilepsy, and infantile spasms treated with vigabatrin presented for surveillance MRI for multiple brain hamartomatous lesions and subependymal nodules. MRI showed new restricted diffusion to bilateral thalami and globi pallidi. This finding was concerning for bilateral thalamic strokes, with differential to include infection, metabolic etiologies, or toxic injuries. Without focal or diffuse neurologic symptoms or additional MRI lesions to suggest an acute or chronic pathology, it was determined the MRI signal changes were likely induced by vigabatrin. Vigabatrin therapy was continued, and a repeat MRI 17 months later showed a resolution of the diffusion restriction with no residual sequelae. Vigabatrin-induced MRI abnormalities are an uncommon adverse effect of therapy for infantile spasms, with adverse events being most common in young infants. It is crucial to consider this adverse drug effect in an asymptomatic patient presenting with these MRI lesions as the findings are otherwise suggestive of a serious disease process, such as an inborn error of metabolism, requiring expensive and invasive workup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J Lockard
- Pediatric Neurology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
| | - Geetanjali Rathore
- Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital & Medical Center, Omaha, USA
- Pediatric Neurology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
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Prezioso G, Chiarelli F, Matricardi S. Efficacy and safety of vigabatrin in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and infantile epileptic spasm syndrome: a systematic review. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:661-671. [PMID: 37243682 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2216385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a common genetic cause of epilepsy. Infantile epileptic spasm syndrome (IESS) is often the presenting neurologic feature, progressively evolving into refractory epilepsy. Vigabatrin (VGB) is often used in clinical practice as a first-line therapy in TSC with IESS. This systematic review aims to collect and analyze the efficacy data about VGB in TSC cases with IESS, in order to evaluate the strength of evidence in the literature. METHODS A systematic search of trials, observational studies, and case series involving patients with TSC and IESS treated with VGB was performed using MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and the US NIH Clinical Trials Registry. Single case studies, animal and non-English language studies were excluded. Seventeen studies were selected, of which 3 were RCTs and 14 were observational studies. RESULTS An overall response rate of 67% (231/343 responders) resulted from the analysis, with a spasm-free rate restricted to RCTs of 88% (29/33 subjects). CONCLUSIONS Although all the studies analyzed reported beneficial effects of VGB in TSC patients with IESS, with higher response rates in comparison to non-TSC subjects with IESS, a low level of evidence and high heterogeneity do not guarantee sufficient strength for therapeutic recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Prezioso
- Pediatric Neurologist, Department of Pediatrics, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiarelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Sara Matricardi
- Pediatric Neurologist, Department of Pediatrics, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
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Mastrangelo M, Gasparri V, Bernardi K, Foglietta S, Ramantani G, Pisani F. Epilepsy Phenotypes of Vitamin B6-Dependent Diseases: An Updated Systematic Review. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030553. [PMID: 36980111 PMCID: PMC10047402 DOI: 10.3390/children10030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Background: Vitamin B6-dependent epilepsies include treatable diseases responding to pyridoxine or pyridoxal-5Iphosphate (ALDH7A1 deficiency, PNPO deficiency, PLP binding protein deficiency, hyperprolinemia type II and hypophosphatasia and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis defects). Patients and methods: We conducted a systematic review of published pediatric cases with a confirmed molecular genetic diagnosis of vitamin B6-dependent epilepsy according to PRISMA guidelines. Data on demographic features, seizure semiology, EEG patterns, neuroimaging, treatment, and developmental outcomes were collected. Results: 497 published patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seizure onset manifested at 59.8 ± 291.6 days (67.8% of cases in the first month of life). Clonic, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic seizures accounted for two-thirds of the cases, while epileptic spasms were observed in 7.6%. Burst-suppression/suppression-burst represented the most frequently reported specific EEG pattern (14.4%), mainly in PLPB, ALDH7A1, and PNPO deficiency. Pyridoxine was administered to 312 patients (18.5% intravenously, 76.9% orally, 4.6% not specified), and 180 also received antiseizure medications. Pyridoxine dosage ranged between 1 and 55 mg/kg/die. Complete seizure freedom was achieved in 160 patients, while a significant seizure reduction occurred in 38. PLP, lysine-restricted diet, and arginine supplementation were used in a small proportion of patients with variable efficacy. Global developmental delay was established in 30.5% of a few patients in whom neurocognitive tests were performed. Conclusions: Despite the wide variability, the most frequent hallmarks of the epilepsy phenotype in patients with vitamin B6-dependent seizures include generalized or focal motor seizure semiology and a burst suppression/suppression burst pattern in EEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mastrangelo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience/Mental Health, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Gasparri
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Katerina Bernardi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Foglietta
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Georgia Ramantani
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pisani
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience/Mental Health, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Liao J, Hu Z, Lin S, Lu X, Wen J, Duan J, Zou D, Zou H, Yu M, Liu L, Qiao X, Ye Y. Long-term outcomes of infantile spasms in children treated with ketogenic diet therapy in combination with anti-seizure medications in a resource-limited region. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 2:1080068. [PMID: 38455303 PMCID: PMC10910894 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.1080068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Objective Despite numerous guidelines, the overall outcome of infantile spasms is poor, with only a small number of patients being able to attend school. The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term outcomes. Patients had poor access to the recommended first-line anti-seizure medications (ASMs), such as hormones (corticotropin or prednisolone/prednisone) and vigabatrin, and their alternative treatment was other ASMs and a ketogenic diet. Methods Patients suffering from infantile spasms who had at least 2 years of medical records in the electronic medical record system between January 2014 and August 2022 were included in this study. Patient information was retrospectively reviewed. All patients had received ketogenic diet therapy (mainly classical ketogenic diet therapy). The ketogenic diet therapy was combined with ASMs not used as first-line therapies. The primary endpoint outcome measure was the number of patients with seizure freedom. The secondary measures included the duration of ketogenic diet therapy, choice of ASMs, and patient development at the last visit. Results A total of 177 patients with infantile spasms were included, and 152 (86%) of them had seizure freedom. The median duration from the first to the last hospital visit was 53.27 months, and the number of visits was 47.00. The median age at the initial hospital visit was 8.00 months, and the median age at initiation of the ketogenic diet was 17.73 months. At the last visit, the proportions of patients with neurodevelopmental delay, developmental epileptic encephalopathy, drug-resistant epilepsy, and generalized seizures increased significantly. The frequently used ASMs were topiramate, valproic acid, levetiracetam, nitrazepam, and vitamin B6 injection, while the recommended first-line drugs corticotropin and vigabatrin were rarely selected. The study duration of 9.5 years was divided into three periods but the prescription of ASMs did not change significantly between these periods. Conclusions Although the seizure freedom rate was high with ketogenic diet therapy combined with non-standard ASMs, the patients had a significant neurodevelopmental delay at the last visit, which was, however, similar to that of standard treatment. To improve the outcomes of infantile spasms, multicenter clinical trials of the ketogenic diet as a first-line treatment in combination with non-standard ASMs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuanzhen Ye
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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