FOLINIC ACID RESPONSIVE SEIZURES - A NEW SYNDROME

During the course of a study to investigate biogenic amine metabolism in neonates and infants with seizure disorders, we have recognized a n ew (neuro)metabolic disease presenting with seizures in the newborn pe riod. The disease is characterized by the presence of a large unidenti fied peak that appears on the chromatographic system used to analyse n eurotransmitter metabolites in CSF, and by the presence of a mild sele ctive aminorachia. In the first case recognized, treatment with folini c acid coincided with complete cessation of seizures within 24 hours.