Prognostic factors of infantile spasms: Role of treatment options including a ketogenic diet

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide additional evidences on prognostic factors for infantile spasms and the possible role of a ketogenic diet. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for patients with infantile spasms who had been followed up for more than 6 months between January 2000 and July 2012 at Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Republic of Korea). We analyzed the association between possible prognostic factors and seizure/developmental outcomes. Results: Sixty-nine patients were included in this study and their mean follow-up duration was 52.5 (9–147) months. In the patients who had been followed up for more than 2 years, 53.6% (n = 30/57) remained seizure-free at the last visit. Sixty patients (86.9%) showed developmental delay at last follow-up. Forty-two patients (60.9%) became spasm-free with one or two antiepileptic drugs, one patient with epilepsy surgery for a tumor, and seven patients with a ketogenic diet after the failure of two or more antiepileptic drugs. The etiology and age of seizure onset were the significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: In this study, about 60% of the patients became spasm-free with vigabatrin and topiramate. Ketogenic diet increased the rate by 10% in the remaining antiepileptic drug resistant patients. However, 86.9% of the patients showed developmental delay, mostly a severe degree. Early diagnosis and prompt application of treatment options such as antiepileptic drugs, a ketogenic diet or epilepsy surgery can improve outcomes in patients with infantile spasms.