[Importance of early hormonal treatment of salaam seizures for the further course of epilepsy in children].

The authors analysed 13 cases of West's syndrome (8 females and 5 males observed in a period of 30 months. In only one case there was history of perinatal trauma. In 7 children the psychomotor development was very good until the time of development of seizures, in 2 children hyperexcitability was present, 1 was obese, 2 had various infections. In 7 cases the seizures developed within 1 to 20 days after DiPerTe or poliomyelitis vaccination. The time from the onset of seizures to beginning of hormonal treatment ranged from 4 weeks to 5 months. Corticosteroids or ACTH were administered for 2 months at least, and benzodiazepine drugs and/or phenobarbital were given additionally. It was found that the effects of treatment were much better in children referred for treatment early after onset of seizures. In cases with delayed hormonal treatment mental retardation was considerable and seizures were frequent.