Infantile spasms (IS) are seizures associated with a severe infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Both cessation of spasms and electrographic response are necessary for the best neurodevelopmental outcomes. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), or prednisolone, or vigabatrin are considered the first-line treatment individually. However, ACTH expense and availability are the barriers in developing countries including Thailand. Vigabatrin, therefore, is the first recommended by Epilepsy Society of Thailand due to ACTH unavailability. Recently, combined steroid treatments (either ACTH or high dose prednisolone) with vigabatrin are superior in cessation of spasms compared to steroid treatment alone. Thus, this study is aimed to compare the efficacy of vigabatrin with high dose prednisolone combination therapy and vigabatrin alone.
Infantile spasms are recognized as epileptic encephalopathy which include the hypsarrhythmia or variants electroencephalographic (EEG) features and psychomotor regression. Various underlying conditions are associated with the infantile spasm included cerebral malformation, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, genetic disorders (Down syndrome), tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), etc. Although vigabatrin has the evidence to use as the first line treatment for infantile spasm related with TSC. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), or high dose prednisolone, or vigabatrin are the first line treatment of IS in non-TSC. The effectiveness of ACTH versus high dose prednisolone question have not yet definitely answered. Furthermore, ACTH expense and availability are the barriers in developing countries including Thailand. Vigabatrin, therefore, is the first option of therapy recommended by Epilepsy Society of Thailand due to ACTH unavailability. Recently, combined steroid treatments (either ACTH or high dose prednisolone) with vigabatrin are superior in cessation of spasms compared to steroid treatment alone. Questions about the clinical cessation of IS and electrographic remission by combination treatment with vigabatrin and high dose prednisolone compare to vigabatrin alone have not fully elucidated. Thus, this study is aimed to compare the efficacy of vigabatrin with high dose prednisolone combination therapy and vigabatrin alone.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
250
High dose prednisolone (40 - 60 mg/day) for 1 month combined with vigabatrin treatment (50-150 mg/kg/day) twice daily for 4 months
Vigabatrin (50-150 mg/kg/day) twice daily for 4 months
Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health
Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
RECRUITINGCessation of spasms
Defined as no witnessed spasms (either clusters or single spasms) from Day 14 to Day 42 inclusive.
Time frame: Assessed during Day 14 to Day 42 after treatment.
Electrographic response
Disappearance of hypsarrhythmia defined by Burden of Amplitudes and Epileptiform Discharges (BASED) scoring system \< 2 at Day 14 and Day 43 after treatment.
Time frame: Assessed during Day 14 and Day 43 after treatment.
Electroclinical response
the cessation of spasms with the addition of absence of hypsarrhythmia (BASED score \< 2) on the Day 14 EEG. Valid Day 14 EEGs will be undertaken between Day 14 and Day 21 inclusive.
Time frame: Between Day 14 and Day 21.
Extended electroclinical response
Electroclinical response with the addition of absence of hypsarrhythmia (BASED score \< 2) on the Day 42 EEG. Valid Day 42 EEGs will be undertaken between Day 42 and Day 49 inclusive.
Time frame: Between Day 42 and Day 49.
The time taken to absence of spasms
Duration for clinical cessation of spasms after initiation treatment
Time frame: Day 1 to Day 14
Relapse of spasms
Defined when a cluster of more than one spasm in reported after Day 42. No EEG is required.
Time frame: Day 42 to 3 months after treatment
Adverse reactions
Each adverse event will be evaluated by the principal investigator to determine whether in their view it is an adverse reaction. If considered an adverse reaction, it will be reported by using the standard classification.
Time frame: Day 1 to Day 14, from Day 15 to Day 42, and from Day 43 to 4 months into the trial
Epilepsy outcome at age 18 months
Epilepsy status and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) will be recorded by using the following categories: 1) Infantile spasms (clusters of spasms), 2) Any other epileptic seizure including febrile seizures, and 3) Names of any preventive AEDs prescribed
Time frame: From Day 42 to age 18 months
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