Progress in the treatment of infantile spasms

Infantile spasms constitutes an unique, age-specific epilepsy syndrome of early infancy characterized by epileptic spasms often accompanied by neurodevelopmental regression and an electroencephalograph finding of hypsarrhythmia.For the complex and various etiologies, the pathogenesis remains unclear.Although the relevant guidelines and consensuses are being updated all the time, but proven therapies are still limited because of efficacy, tolerability, at times even availability.In this paper, the current findings regarding up-to-date advances in the treatment of infant spasms were reviewed, especially in use of the corticosteroid and vigabatrin as well as the quality-of-care indicators for infantile spasms. Key words: Infantile spasms; Progress in the treatment; Adrenocorticotrophic hormone; Vigabatrin; Ketogenic diet