Table 1. Patient demographics.
Thirty-one patients met inclusion criteria. A clinical diagnosis of spasms and an EEG report with hypsarrhythmia were both required for inclusion. The only difference we found between treatment groups was an older age at diagnosis in the topiramate treatment group. The rest of the demographics were similar between the ACTH and topiramate groups.
| Initial Treatment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Topiramate | ACTH | |
| Male | 8 | 7 |
| Female | 11 | 5 |
| Average Age (months) | 8.05 | 4.68* |
| Cryptogenic | 2 | 3 |
| Genetic | 2 | 2 |
| Clinical Etiology | ||
| HIE | 3 | 1 |
| Stroke | 1 | 1 |
| TS | 0 | 0 |
| Neurologic Exam Abnormality | 17 | 8 |
| MRI Abnormality | 13 | 6 |
| Other Physical Abnormality | 6 | 2 |
| Clinical Infantile Spasms | ||
| Average Duration Prior to Treatment |
2 (<1->12months) | 1.5 (<1-3 months) |
| Flexor | 15 | 8 |
| Extensor | 4 | 3 |
| EEG Hypsarrhythmia | 19 | 12 |
Average Age at diagnosis in months; cryptogenic= a normal MRI and clinical exams at the time of diagnosis. HIE - hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, TS-tuberous sclerosis. Other physical abnormalities= non-neurologic disorders or congenital anomalies.
*
P=0.03 T-test with Welch correction.