در درمان اسپاسم شيرخواران ACTH مقايسه اثرات نيترازپام و

Background: Among different epileptic syndromes infantile spasms (LS) or West syndrome is considered as the most malignant one which causes irreparable brain damage in the child. Consequently the longer this type of epilepsy Iasts, the more harmful results will follow. Currently common treatment include drugs such as ACTH , prednisolone , valporic acid and benzodiazepines. Materials and methods: In a randomized control double blind trial, we study 60 children aged 2-24 months who had IS and were admitted in Mofid Hospital, during a two year period, 1998-2000. In our study patients were assigned randomly in two groups: Nitrazepam (0.5-1 mg /kg /24h, in three divided doses taken with meals, and ACTH (40 U/daily/IM, single dose). At the end of the second, forth and sixth week of the treatment, patients were evaluated for complete control or reduction of seizure and drug side effects. Results: Result revealed that at the end of the sixth week of treatment 63% of NZP- and 30% of ACTH-treated patients had complete seizure control (p<0.05). Following the 6th week the relative reduction of seizure frequency was observed in 26% of NZP and 53% of ACTH group(NS). Complete normalization of EEG was reported in 47% and 30% of the NZP and ACTH group, respectively. Conclusion: This study vividly cleared the fact that NZP has less and negligible side effect compared to ACTH . Considering the better therapeutic effects, fewer side effects and lower cost, NZP is the drug of choice in IS.