Infantile Spasms – Current Management – A Global Perspective; The Way Forward

Course Description
This symposium will deal with an important epileptic encephalopathy ie Infantile Spams. Even Infantile Spasms constitute the commonest devastating infantile epilepsy worldwide, there is a wide variability in their etiology, clinical spectrum, and diagnostic and management protocols across the world. Despite some large clinical trials, several challenges and uncertainties continue to exist. There is lack of consensus even among experts as to what exactly constitutes hypsarrhythmia, and the certainty with which one can diagnose infantile spasms. Also, there are several unanswered questions not only whether ACTH or oral steroids should be used, but also regarding the doses, dosing, tapering, and duration of ACTH therapy and whether synthetic and natural ACTH should be used. Similar questions also exist regarding the use of Vigabatrin, other antiepileptics, special diets and even surgery for the control of IS. In this symposium, experts from across the globe will try to address these issues in light of the current scientific evidence and present the state of art information on the subject, with a global perspective. Some new drugs in pipeline and newer ways to conduct clinical trials will also be discussed. Since children with infantile spasms are managed not only by child neurologists, but also by paediatricians and adult neurologists in many parts of the world, this topic is relevant for all. It is hoped that it would provide current information with an international perspective and opportunities for collaborative research. 

Learning Objectives

1. Make a correct diagnosis and plan a rational evaluation of a child with suspected infantile spasms.
2. Make evidence based, rational choices for the management of Infantile Spasms, keeping in mind a global perspective.

Impact Statements

1. Making an early and correct diagnosis in a child with suspected infantile spasms.
2. Formulating appropriate management protocols for children with infantile spasms.

Organizer:
Pratibha Singhi MBBS, MD, FIAP, FNAMS; Medanta, The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Infantile Spasms – Concepts and Differential Diagnosis; the European Approach Towards Management
Pratibha Singhi MBBS, MD, FIAP, FNAMS

Evaluation of Infantile Spasms – Role of Genetics; Approach to a Child with IS in Japan
Shinichi Hirose, MD, PhD; Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan

Infantile Spasms: Peculiarities and Challenges in Resource Limited Countries; Role of ACTH, Steroids, and Other Antiepileptic Drugs
Pratibha Singhi MBBS, MD, FIAP, FNAMS

Diagnosis and Management of Infantile Spasms in the USA – New Drugs in the Pipeline; What is the Way Forward?
Shaun Hussain, MD, MS; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA