Report on infantile spasm by Md Papon

Report on Infantile spasm

Introduction Infantile spasm, also known as West’s Syndrome or salaam spasm were first described by Dr. West in a letter he wrote to the Lancet in 1841. 1 Infantile Spasm, which is one of the most recognized but peculiar types of epileptic encephalo-pathies recognized as catastrophic epileptic syndromes having a special type of seizure characterized by clusters of brief muscle contractions 2 followed by a more sustained tonic phase which remains distinct from myoclonic and tonic seizures. Seizures in infantile spasm is typically divided into 3 types: flexor, extensor and mixed spasms; but can also be asymmetric 3 and involves brief contractions of neck, trunk and extremities lasting upto few seconds and frequently in clusters 4 as electroencephalography (EEG) demonstrates it distinctly typical pattern called hypsarrhythmia. They often occur in clusters and as many as 100 spasms occurring in a single cluster, each individual spasm lasting few seconds only. These clusters frequently occur as the infant is awaking from sleep and are commonly associated with a cry. 1 Hypsarrhythmia is used to describe an EEG pattern that is characterized by random, high voltage and slow waves. The most striking features of hypsarrhythmia are high –voltage slow waves from many foci, and varying with time and a lack of synchrony, with a generally “chaotic” appearance. The typical appearance is more likely to be found in earlier stage of infantile spasm and when onset occurs at a younger age. The hypsarrhythmic pattern may disappear during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, but it may be found with greater sensitivity in some other stages of sleep 5. Infantile Spasm occurs mostly between 3-7 months and 90% occurs in 1 st year of life6 though it reportedly occurs within 4 years of age. In most cases they resolve by the age of three, though rarely can persist up to 10-15 years of age 1

The incidence of infantile spasm ranges between 2-3.5/10,000 live births. 4 From China reported an incidence rate of infantile spasm have been reported to range between 1 in every 2,000- 4,000 infants constituting 2 - 3% of childhood epileptic syndrome 2 .Another study shows the incidence of infantile spasm ranges from 0.25-0.6 per 1000 live birth7 Despite huge advances in medicine infantile spasm still remains a poorly understood entity, although with newer imaging techniques it is possible to elicit underlying causes of these spasms, still their patho-physiological basis and treatment remains problematic. 1 Infantile spasm occurs in children from all ethnic groups and boys are affected with infantile spasm slightly more often than girls (ratio 60:40) Of several predisposing factors of infantile spasm (genetic, perinatal and postnatal etiologies)

>50% have underlying neurologic disorders often leading to physical and mental handicaps. 5 Etiological classifications of infantile spasm include: (i)

Symptomatic (have clearly defined underlying cause and /or significant developmental delay prior to spasm onset and

(ii)

Cryptogenic (no underlying cause and had normal development prior to onset of spasms).

(iii)

Idiopathic

Causes of infantile spasm may be prenatal, perinatal and postnatal. The percentage of symptomatic infantile spasm has increased due to improved diagnostic techniques such as metabolic and genetic testing and neuroemaging.4 There is an association with a number of disorders –some of which are known at disease on set (e.g. cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome etc.), whilst other are discovered on investigation after the onset of spasm (e.g. tuberous sclerosis, neuronal migration disorder etc). However, in a significant minority of cases the etiologies remain unknown. 1 Outcome of infantile spasm dependent on etiology and may be more favourable in cryptogenic infantile spasm. Delay in diagnosis is common and negatively influenced final seizure outcome. 8 Outcome assesses by cessation of spasms, quantitative reduction of spasms, and resolution of EEG abnormality. Among the many pharmacological agents tried for management of infantile spasm, ACTH, oral corticosteroids and vigabatrin have yielded the most significantly favorable results. 9 Second-line drugs include B6, nitrazepam, valporic acid, leviteracetam, zonisamide, and topiramate. (Where ACTH or Vigabatrin has failed) 10 Common side effect of ACTH and prednisolone: Irritability, acne, weight gain, increased appetite, “moon face”, hypertension, hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding. ACTH may often cause anaphylaxis, hypertension, and growth retardation. Vigabatrin causes irreversible peripheral severe

visual handicaps.5 it is generally accepted that the adverse effect of ACTH are primarily dose dependent.11 ACTH act directly inhibiting corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) secretion and it also has negative feedback effect on CRH secretion by increasing blood steroid level. 2 In the United States, many physicians perceive ACTH as first-line therapy, as this was the only treatment in the 2004 American Academy of Neurology practice parameter classified as â&#x20AC;&#x153;probablyâ&#x20AC;? effective.12 Efficacy of ACTH for resolution of clinical spasms has varied from as low as 33% to as high as 100%, with relapse rates of 8-50%. Resolution of hypsarrhythmia on with ACTH also varied with rates as low as 21% and as high as 100%. On reviewing some randomized controlled trials (RCT) and crossover studies, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose and low-dose ACTH evidencing a trend towards more complete cessation of spasm in low-dose ACTH group and no difference in disappearance of hypsarrhythmia between high and low-dose ACTH but high-dose ACTH produced more adverse effects then lower concluding that low-dose ACTH might be preferable for its comparative efficacy and lower risk of adverse effects. 2 Two large surveys were performed independently by United States Consensous and Japan to determine the drug of choice for infantile spasm treatment. ACTH, as initial therapy is used in~88% patients in USA most frequently at a dose of 40IU/day for 1-2months, irrespective to etiology. 3 United states consensus reported that in a study patients were given 10mg prednisolone 4 times/day for 2wks or, 20mg prednisolone 3 times/day after 1 wk if spasm continued. Thus 70% (21/300) patients with prednisolone had a good clinical response .4 Since Sept 2007, they replaced ACTH with high -dose oral prednisolone (40-60mg/day) according to 2004 United Kingdom infantile spasms study (UKISS). They now routinely recommend oral prednisolone to all families of children with infantile spasms. Recently, high-dose prednisolone treatment produced high clinical efficacy for infantile

spasm

cessation using 40mg oral prednisolone/day for 2 weeks. 5 From 1958-2002, 24 studies of case reports were examined where they observed that ATCH & prednisolone was the most common agent used.4 In Pakistan experienced the efficacy of ACTH was marginally better than prednisolone 33% in ACTH and 24% in prednisolone group of infantile spasm children remained spasm free.

ACTH and

prednisone both are used, when response being defined as either complete cessation or >=50% reduction in the spasm frequency as judged by the parents 6 Though ACTH is used more selectively in Europe in comparison to prednisolone whereas ~88% of pediatric neurologists in United States use ACTH as the first choice. 6 initially, it was thought that prednisolone was as effective as ACTH. More recently, it has been shown that ACTH is superior to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone and high dose is no better than low-dose ACTH. 6 The 2 mg/kg/day dose of prednisone has been suggested to be too low in the Cochrane review. 1 Infantile spasm clinical trial treatment protocol ACTH versus Prednisolone Ref. No.

References

Agent

Dose

Barm et al. (1996) Hrachovy et al. (1994b)

ACTH

24 26

ACTH ACTH

Lux et al. (2001)

ACTH

Hrachovy et al. (1983) Lux et al. (2004)

Predsolone

150 IU/m2/day divided b.i.d. 20-30 IU/day or 150 IU/m2/day 40-60 IU (0.50.75mg) alternate days 2 mg/kg/day

Predsolone

40-60 mg/day

5 10

Duration of full dose (Weeks) 2

% Patients spasms stopped 93

% Patients resolution hypsarrhythmia 87

2-6 3

58 50

2-6

RATIONALE And ideal treatment of infantile spasm still remains unclear, but many study advocate hormonal treatment. In some studies ACTH was superior to prednisolone, 13 and in others prednisolone was as effective as ACTH.14 Most of the studies have been retrospective and have not been well controlled. 15 Though ACTH and prednisolone are the most effective available agents in controlling infantile spasm but there is no universal standard exists for treating infantile spasm. So adequately designed further studies are required to perform to determine the most effective therapies for optimal treatment of children with infantile spasm. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is injectable ACTH more effective than oral Prednisolone in clinical management of infantile spasm? HYPOTHESIS: Injectable ACTH is more effective than oral Prednisolone in clinical management of infantile spasm.

OBJECTIVES: General Objective: To find out comparative efficacy of injectable ACTH and oral prednisolone in clinical management of infantile spasm. Specific objectives: 1. To determine the clinical response of ACTH. 2. To determine the clinical response of prednisolone. 3. To compare the clinical outcome of injectable ACTH versus oral Prednisolone. METHODOLOGY Study design

Randomized Control Trial.

Type of study :

Prospective follow up.

Study Period

Total duration of study will be from December 2011 to November 2012

Place of study

Study will be conducted in pediatric neurology unit of Dhaka

Medical Colleges Hospital (DMCH) and Centre for Neurodevelopment and Autism in children, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Dhaka. Reference population: All the infantile spasm patients seeking treatment at the above mentioned hospitals in all the working days will be the reference population. Sampling: Consecutive case will be enrolled in the study who met the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria and their willingness to participate in this study. Total sample size

: 60 children

Sample size estimation: (A)Using WinPepi17 (Source: http://www.brixtonhealth.com/pepi4windows.html) We select Situation 1 where the software allows to us to compare proportions. Assuming 95% confidence level (= 5% significance level) and 80% power also, Proportion in A = Outcome in control group - Proportion of patients who will be convulsion free after receiving Prednisolone = p1 = 0.65 Proportion in B = Outcome in study group - Proportion of patients who will be convulsion free after receiving ACTH = p2 = 0.95

The required sample size is calculated by WinPepi = 54. Considering 10% refusal/attrition the study will require a total of 54x0.1+54 = 59.4 .To take equal numbers the study will consider this as 60 meaning each group will need 30. (B)Using Formula: •

Outcome in control group - Proportion of patients who will be convulsion free after Receiving Prednisolone = p1

•

Outcome in study group - Proportion of patients who will be convulsion free after receiving ACTH = p2

•

zα/2= critical value for confidence level (1.96 for 95% confidence level)

•

zβ= area under the curve corresponding to power of the study to detect the true alternative hypothesis (0.84 for 80% power)

•

Assuming 95% confident level and 80% power we know that,

•

+ Z β ) = (1.96 + 0.84 ) 2 2

α/2

≈ ( 2.8)

≈ 7.9 (Reference: Jennifer L. et al. (1997)

Methods in Observational Epidemiology, pp. 333) •

The formula for required sample size ‘n’ in each group to test if such an effect exist is

Assuming p1 = 0.65 and p2 = 0.95 we get,

n = ( Zα / 2 + Z β ) × 2

n = 7.9 ×

p1 (1 − p1 ) + p 2 (1 − p 2 ) ( p1 − p 2 ) 2

0.65(1 − 0.65) + 0.95(1 − 0.95) (0.65 − 0.95) 2

0.65 × 0.35 + 0.95 × 0.05 (0.3) 2 0.2275 + 0.0475 n = 7.9 × 0.09

n = 7 .9 ×

n = 7.9 ×

0.275 0.09

n = 7 .9 × 3 .1 n ≈ 25 Considering 10% refusal/attrition the study will require a total of (25x2)x0.1+50 = 55 To take equal numbers the study will consider this as 56 meaning each group will need 28.

Inclusion criteria: 1. Clinical symtomatology of infantile spasm as elicited by through physical examination and detailed history. 2. Accompanying EEG findings at initial EEG. 3. Child’s guardian/attendant who would agree (in written) that their children may take part in the study Exclusion criteria: 1. All children who were diagnosed to have tuberous sclerosis. 2. Children who had already received any of the investigational drugs prior to their first encounter were also excluded. 3. Child’s guardian/attendant who would not agree to consent on their children may take part in the study 4. The child who would present any other serious illness or co-morbidities 5. Methods: All the infantile spasm patients seeking treatment in department of pediatrics, Dhaka medical college hospital and BSMMU will be the reference population. Detailed history and clinical examination of all infantile spasm patients will be done. From reference population patients fulfilling the selection criteria will be enrolled consecutively as study population. Necessary exclusion will be done. After taking written informed consent and randomization, drugs will be given according to dose schedule. During the continuation of drugs patients will be followed up by principal investigator and will be recorded in follow up sheet. Randomization: Randomization will be done by lottery method, i.e. the mother/father/caregiver will be given a chance to pick up a brown coloured envelop, containing the name of drug from a group of 8 envelop, 4 containing the name of ACTH and the other 4 containing the name of prednisolone.

Drug administration: After group allocation, drug will be given according to following dose schedule. Adrenocorticothrophin (ACTH) 13 Route: Intramuscular (60IU/ml) Dose: A. Two weeks treatment schedule: 150IU/m2/day two divided doses for 2 weeks. B. Tapering schedule: 30IU/m2/day every morning for 3 days 15IU/m2/day every morning for 3 days 10IU/m2/day every morning for 3 days 10IU/m2/day every alternate morning for 3 days Prednisolone:

Route: Oral as liquid suspension (5mg/5ml) Dose: 40-60mg/day three divided doses for 2 weeks. 20mg/day two divided doses for 1 week 10mg/day once daily for 1 week Data collection and analysis: Data will be collected by a preformed questionnaire. Data analysis will be done using computer software SPSS (Win version 17).Mean, median, standard deviation will be determined. For comparing the descriptive value Z-test will be used. For comparing the continuous variables chi-square test will be used. A p-value of <0.05(at95% CI) will be considered significant. Flow Chart: Work Organization:

Suitable population will be selected From Reference Population Necessary Exclusion will be done

Those who will Not give consent

Sample size will be 60 Randomization Study Group (ACTH) 30

Those not eligible

Control Group (Prednisolone) 30

Manipulation & Follow-up Outcome assessment & Comparison

Ethical Considerations: All proper steps to fulfill the ethical considerations will be sought from Research review committee, department of pediatrics and Ethical review committee of Dhaka Medical College time based on the following ethical grounds: Informed written consent from the parents/attendant will be taken prior to include the child in the study after detailing the aims & objectives of the study and its implication on the child and overall in pediatric science in Bangladesh and in the world. The parents will be informed on the anonymity of the study child and to ensure the parents of not publishing the data or any report of the child anywhere except for scientific presentations or publications (with anonymity). BIBLIOGRAPHY 1.

Hancock E, Osborne J. Treatment of infantile spasms (Rev)…This version first published online: 22 April 2002 in Issue 2, 2002

Linan Zeng, Rong Luo & Lingli Zhang. Efficacy of high-dose ACTH vs. low- dose ACTH in infantile spasm: A Meta -analysis with direct & indirect comparison of randomized trials. J pediatr Neurol 2011; 9: 141-49 [pharmacy Dept, West China Second Univ Hosp, Sichuan, China.]

Mackay MT, Weiss SK, Adams-Webber T, Ashwal , Stephens D, Ballaban-Gill K, Baram TZ, Duchowny M, Hirtz D, Pellock JM, Shields WD, Shinnar S, Wyllie E and Snead OC. Neurol 2004; 62:1668-1681. Rep Am Acad Neurol & Child Neurology Society

Pellock JM, Harachovy R, Shinnar S, Baram TZ, Bettis D, Dlugos DJ, Gaillard WD, Gibson PA, Holmes GL, Nordli DR, Christine O’Dell, Shields WD, Trevathan E and Wheless JW. Infantile spasms: A US Consensus Report. Epilepsia, 2010; 51(10): 2175-2189.

Lux AL, Edwards SW, Hancock E, Johnson AL, Kennedy CR, Newton RW, O’Callaghan FJ, Verity CM, Osborne JP. A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial. Lancet 2004; 364: 1773-1778.

MATLOOB Azam, Nasera Bhatti, Jai Krishin. Use of ACTH & prednisolone in infantile spasms: Experience from a developing country. Seizure (2005) 14, 552-556.

Shahnaz Ibrahim, Shamshad Gulab, Sidra Ishaque & Taimur Salem. Clinical profile & treatment of infantile spasms using vigabatrin and ACTH-a developing country perspective……Published: 15 Jan. 2010

Veena Kalra, Sheffali Gulati, RAvindra Mohan Pandey, Shaji Menon. West syndrome and other infantile epileptic encephalopathies-Indian hospital experience.

Harinder Jaseja. A plausible explanation for superiority of adreno-cortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) over oral corticosteroids in management of infantile spasms (West syndrome). 24 April 2006.

10.

Bradley Peltzer, BM, William D. Alonso, BS, and Brenda E. Proter, MD, PhD. Topiramate & Adrenocorticotropic Hormone(ACTH) as Initial Treatment for Infantile Spasms. J Child Neurol 2009; 24(4):400-05

11.

Yoko Kondo, Akihisa Okumura, Kazuyoshi Watanabe, Tamiko Negoro, Toru Kato, Testsuo Kubota, Kakizawa Hiroko. Comparison of 2 low dose ACTH therapies for West syndrome: their efficacy & side effect. Brain & Development 27(2005)326-30

12.

Eric H. Kossoff, Adam L. Hartman James E. Rubenstein, Eileen P.G. Vining. High-dose oral prednisolone for infantile spasms; an effective and less expensive alternative to ACTH. Epilepsy & Behavior 2009; 14: 674-76.

13.

Tallie Z. Baram , Wendy G. Mitchell, Anne Tournay, BSc, , O. Cartr Snead, III, Rebecca A, Hanson, and E.J. Horton,. High-dose Corticotropin (ACTH) versus prednisone for Infantile Spasms: A prospective, Randomized, Blinded Study. Pediatrics 1996 March; 97(3): 375-379.

14.

Richard A. Hrachovy, James D. Frost, Jr., Peter Kellaway, and Thomas E. Zion. Double-blind study of ACTH vs. prednisone therapy in infantile spasms J Pediatr 103:641, 1983. Houston, Texas 1996 March; 97(3): 375-379.

15.

Daniel G, Glaze, Richard A, Hrachovy, James D. Frost, Jr., Peter Kellaway & Thomas E. Zion, Prospective Study of outcome of infants with infantile spasms treated during controlled studies of ACTH and prednisone. J Pediatr 1988; 112:389-96.

16.

Tallie Z. Baram. What are the reasons for the strikingly different approaches to the use of ACTH in infants with wast syndrome. Brain & Development 23 (2001) 647-648.

17.

Joseph H Abramson. WINPEPI (PEPI-for-Window): computer program for epidemiologists. Epidemilogist Pespectives and Innovations 2004, 1:6 17 December 2004.

18.

Richard A, Hrachovy, MD, James D. Frost, Jr., MD, and Daniel G. Glaze, MD. High-dose, long-duration versus low-dose, short-duration corticotrophin therapy for infantile spasms. Pediatric Pharmacology And Therapeutics. 1993.

19.

Shin-Ichiro Hamano, Shintaro Yamashita, Manabu Tanaka, Satoshi Yoshinari, Motoyuki Minamitani,

And Yoshikatsu Eto,

Therapeutic

efficacy and adverse

effects of

adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in west syndrome: differences in dosage of adrenocorticotropic hormone, onset of age, & cause. …Nov 30, 2005…… No 3, 2005. 20.

Cesare T. Lombroso. A prospective study of Infantile Spasms: Clinical and Therapeutic Correlations. Epilepsia, 24:135-158, 1983.

21.

Yong Seung Hwang, the Korean Child Neurology Society. National Survey on West Syndrome in Korea. Brain & Development 2001; 23: 565-569.

22.

Eric H. Kossoff, Erika F. Hedderick, Zahava Turner, and John M. Freeman. A case-control evaluation of the ketogenic diet versus ACTH for new-onset infantile spasms. ………. March 4, 2008.

23.

Federico Vigevano and Maria Roberta Cilio. Vigabatrin vs. ACTH as First-Line Treatment for Infantile Spasms: A Randomized, Prospective Study. Epilepsia 1997, 38 (12): 1270-1274

Activities (Month) Problem Identification

Time Schedule December, 2011 – November, 2012 Fe Se Dec. Jan Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug b p

Literature Review Protocol Development Procure of Equipment Questionnaire and Pretesting Data Collection Data Analysis Thesis writing

Budget 1.

Personal

Free

Drugs

1, 00,000/-

Travelling

10,000/-

Investigation

50,000/-

Logistic

10,000/-

Auxiliary stuff

Misc

Total

10,000/10,000/1, 90,000/-

Oct Nov