The efficacy of prednisone in the treatment of infantile spasm and HPA axis mechanism analysis

Abstract

Objective By studying the changes of the seizures of infantile spasm (IS)、EEG and HPA axis function before and after the treatment of prednisone, to explore the efficacy of prednisone in treating infantile spasm, the role of HPA axis in the pathogenesis of IS, and elucidate the HPA axis mechanism of prednisone in controling seizure. Methods A total of 30 patients with IS (IS group) and 30 cases of healthy infants and young children (control group) were recruited.Number of seizures、EEG 、HPA axis function was detected before and after the treatment of prednisone in patients with infantile spasm.Serum cortisol, ACTH were determined by the chemiluminescence analysis, serum CRH was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results serum CRH levels of IS group was significantly higher than normal control group(P 0.05). The average number of daily ictal clusters and the average daily total seizure number positively correlated with CRH respectively.After the application of the prednisolone, seizure of 19 cases of the IS were controlled, 11 cases were not controlled, 18 cases of hyperarrhythmia were completely remited and 12 cases of hyperarrhythmia were not completely remited.The average number of daily ictal clusters and The average daily total seizure number after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05); DQ after treatment was higher than DQ before treatment(P<0.05); The pathogenesis was the main influencing factor of the prednisone treatment effect, the length of the disease, the worse the treatment(P<0.05). CRH、cortisol、ACTH after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion Prednisone can effectively control the onset of infantile spasms, and early treatment is better.IS patient has HPA axis dysfunction, and prednisone can regulate HPA axis dysfunction to control spasm. Key words: Infantile spasm; HPA axis; Prednisone