HIE and Infantile Spasms

ACTH, or Achtar Gel, is another form of treatment for infantile spasms. This is a somewhat controversial treatment because the side effects can be severe. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce a steroid that occurs naturally in the body. It is given in an intramuscular or subcutaneous shot. If successful, it can stop the spasms permanently. Of course, it can also stop them for a time and they can reoccur. In some cases, it doesn’t help at all. Side effects include swelling (especially noted in the face), high blood pressure, reduced immunity to other infections, enlarged heart, hair growth, irritability, high blood sugar, weight gain, and sleeplessness. The ketogenic diet is another treatment that works for some. I know nothing about it at this time, but here is a link to a good site for further information: http://www.ketogenic.org

The following sites are the ones I found most helpful at researching when Rachel started having seizures:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats... This is a web ring for Infantile Spasm sites.(Scroll down to the bottom to go to some of the Infantile Spasms Webring sites. Most are not HIE children, but it is still helpful.)

Seizure Disorders In Childhood http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/p...

Infantile spasms http://www.mynchen.demon.co.uk/Infantile...

Infantile spasms are only one form of epilepsy. HIE children can have other forms as well. Those will be addressed in future articles.

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