Comparing high dose vitamin B6 with corticotherapy in infantile spasm

Abstract

Background: Since present available treatments for infantile spasms (IS) are far from adequate, and also side effects of the current therapeutic regimens are frequent and serious, the ongoing search for better protocols is understandable. Methods and Materials: We compared the therapeutic and adverse effects of vitamin B6 given in high doses with prednisolone in a randomized controlled double blind clinical trial. Vitamin B6 (40mg/kg/24hr) and prednisolone (1.5mg/kg/day) were tried in 22 and 15 patients respectively, and the patients were followed for at least 6 months. Results: Response to treatment was slightly better in the prednisolone group but the difference was not significant (P=0.4). On the other hand adverse effects were also seen more frequently with prednisolone. Conclusions: We conclude that high dose vitamin B6 should be looked at as a justified and worthtrying method of treatment. It seems that it can be safely used where there is contraindication to use other antiepileptic drugs or where they have failed, and even in fresh cases of IS.