SPASTIC DIPLEGIA AS A COMPLICATION OF INTERFERON ALPHA-2A TREATMENT OF HEMANGIOMAS OF INFANCY

We report the development of spastic diplegia in infants during the co urse of in terferon Alfa-2a (IFN) therapy for potentially life-endange ring hemangiomas. Five infants who displayed diplegia were selected fr om a group of 26 infants treated with IFN. Diplegia persisted in three infants, and in the remaining two signifcant recovery occurred after IFN was discontinued. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no significant brain or spinal abnormalities except minor to moderate delayed myelin ation in two patients. Myelination was normal on subsequent radiograph ic examination in all five patients. We conclude that IFN can adversel y affect the immature central nervous system and produce spastic diple gia, which is potentially reversible. We recommend careful clinical as sessment of neurodevelopmental status during IFN therapy.