INFANTILE SPASMS - OUTCOME AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS OF CRYPTOGENIC AND SYMPTOMATIC GROUPS

We reviewed the outcome (developmental, neurologic, and seizure) and p rognostic factors of 57 cases of infantile spasms (17 cryptogenic, 40 symptomatic). The mean developmental score of the cryptogenic group (7 1.2 +/- 24.2) was significantly higher than that of the symptomatic gr oup (48.4 +/- 24.5), as assessed by the Griffith Mental Developmental Scale. A resultant neurologic deficit was present in 23.5% of the cryp togenic group and 75.0% of the symptomatic group. Coexistence of other forms of seizures was observed in 35.3% of the cryptogenic group and 57.5% of the symptomatic group. Outcome was affected by the coexistenc e of other seizures, presence of neurologic deficit, time lag in initi ation of treatment (cognitive outcome only), poor response to ACTH tre atment, and persistent EEG abnormality. Character of spasms and time l ag in initiation of treatment (seizure outcome only) did not have any significant effect on outcome.