West syndrome is a distinct, infantile onset, epileptic encephalopathy, associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome. The present study was designed as a randomized, open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of oral zonisamide therapy in comparison with adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in infants with West syndrome. Thirty infants with West syndrome were randomized to receive treatment with either synthetic, intramuscular adrenocorticotropic ...

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and disability worldwide. It is a multi-factorial disease influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Studies from the different ethnic regions of world have reported variable results on association of Apolioprotein E (APOE), Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (ENOS), Factor V Leiden (F5), Cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2), beta-fibrinogen and Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) gene in ...

PURPOSE: Intravenous lorazepam is considered the drug of first choice for control of acute convulsive seizures. However, resource or personnel constraints necessitate the study of alternative routes and medications. This study compared the efficacy and adverse effects of intranasal versus intravenous lorazepam in children aged 6-14 years who presented with acute seizures.

METHODS: This was a randomized open-label study conducted at an Indian hospital from August 2008 to April 2009. One ...

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability and is of public health importance. It affects not only the child and the family. It also has direct and indirect cost implications on the nation that are incurred in providing health care, support for education, and rehabilitative services. There is a lack of evidence-based estimate of the population prevalence of ASD in India. Therefore, this systematic review was aimed at determining the prevalence of ASD in the ...

OBJECTIVE: Gingival overgrowth is an important adverse effect of phenytoin (PHT) therapy, occurring in about half of the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral folic acid supplementation (0.5 mg/day) for the prevention of PHT-induced gingival overgrowth (PIGO) in children with epilepsy aged 6-15 years on PHT monotherapy for 6 months.

METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at a tertiary level hospital from May 2008 to June 2009. ...

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a multifactorial disease and is influenced by complex environmental interactions. The contribution of various risk factors to the burden of stroke worldwide is not well known, particularly in developing countries. The present case-control study is aimed at exploring the association between a low socioeconomic status and the risk of ischemic stroke among the North Indian population.

METHODS: The study design was a hospital-based, case-control study. Age- and ...

Home to a culturally heterogeneous population, India is also a melting pot of genetic diversity. The population architecture characterized by multiple endogamous groups with specific marriage patterns, including the widely prevalent practice of consanguinity, not only makes the Indian population distinct from rest of the world but also provides a unique advantage and niche to understand genetic diseases. Centuries of genetic isolation of population groups have amplified the founder ...

PURPOSE: Although cannabidiol and fenfluramine have been recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for seizures in children with Dravet syndrome (DS), the comparative efficacy and safety of these and stiripentol as an add-on therapy for DS has not been evaluated in head-to-head trials. The current study aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of add-on anti-seizure medications in DS.

METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE database search and a manual search was done ...

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which affects not only the health of the affected child, but also has an economic, psychological and emotional impact on the family as a whole. In the transition from Person with Disability (PWD) act (1995) to Rights of Persons with Disabilities act (RPWD act) (2016), which covers all aspects of life of a person with any disability, epilepsy has been excluded from the list of disorders, resulting in a loss of many of the benefits that were ...

ObjectivesThe use of leaded petrol was prohibited in the Delhi city by the end of 1998. To determine the impact of use of unleaded petrol, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine blood lead levels in primary school children.MethodsBlood lead levels were estimated in 300 school children aged 6 to 10 y. The data regarding clinical features and putative risk factors for high blood lead levels was also collected.ResultsOf the 300 children, 36 (12 %) had high blood lead levels. ...

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of pulse methylprednisolone in comparison with intramuscular adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy in children with West syndrome (WS).MethodsThis open-label, pilot study with a parallel-group assignment included 44 recently diagnosed children with WS. Methylprednisolone therapy was given as intravenous infusion at a dose of 30 mg/kg/d for five days followed by oral steroids 1 mg/kg gradually tapered over 5–6 wk. The ...

ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Infantile Spasms among pediatricians.MethodsA survey was carried out among pediatricians serving in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The survey was done by Survey Monkey Software through emails by using a structured questionnaire between July 2016 and December 2017.ResultsA total of 236 pediatricians responded to the survey. Most of the respondents (95.5%) correctly considered Infantile Spasms as a ...

The opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is a distinct disorder characterized by opsoclonus, myoclonus, and ataxia, along with marked irritability and behavioral changes. Worldwide, data on its epidemiology, clinical features, and outcome are scarce. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical profile and outcome of children with this disorder. A retrospective study of all children admitted with a diagnosis of opsoclonus-myoclonus from 2000 to 2012 was done. Outcome was assessed on ...

Objectives: Considering the dearth of literature on West syndrome (WS) from South Asian countries, this study aimed to evaluate the management practices in South Asia by an online survey and meta-analysis.

Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 223 pediatric neurologists/pediatricians in India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Their responses were evaluated and supplemented by a meta-analysis.

Results: Of 125 responses received (response rate: 56%), ...