Patient's question:
My son, a 6-month-old infant, has had infantile spasms for 9 months and has been taking Tegretol and Keppra to control them. The seizures were controlled until he was 1 year and 6 months old, after which they recurred. He was then treated with hormones in the hospital for 2 months, which again controlled the seizures. He is now 2 years old. At night, he wakes up every day with a slight expression as if startled, then breathes heavily. This happens once a night, and there are no such episodes during the day.Doctor's answer:
Currently, the treatment for infantile spasms primarily involves the combined use of hormones and nitrazepam (clonazepam), which is highly effective in controlling or reducing recurrence and can also restore normal EEG patterns.Medical advice: To prevent recurrence of infantile spasms, even after treatment has controlled the condition, it is essential to continue taking medication regularly under the guidance of a doctor. Generally, medication should be taken continuously for 2-4 years, followed by a gradual reduction and eventual discontinuation. During the course of treatment, parents should take their child for regular follow-up examinations. Initially, this should be done every 2 weeks, and later, every 1 month or 3-6 months, depending on the situation. Dosage adjustments should be made based on the child's condition, and any adverse reactions should be closely monitored.