Vitamin B6 & Treatment of Infantile Spasms: a Comparison with Standard Steroid Therapy

Background: Considering the inadequacies of current therapeutic regimens for infantile spasms (IS), and the frequent and serious side effects of Some regimens, the ongoing search for more enhanced protocols is understandable. Materials and Methods: We have compared the therapeutic and adverse effects of vitamin B6 given in high doses with those of prednisolone in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Vitamin B6 (40mg/kg/24hr) and prednisolone (1.5mg/kg/day) were given to 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. Conclusion: We conclude that high dose vitamin B6 should be considered as an alternative 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; even in newly diagnosed cases of IS.