Overnight polygraphic studies of infantile spasms--influence of hormone therapy on sleep states, pulse, respiration and seizure activities.

The influence of hormone therapy on sleep states, pulse, respiration and seizure activities of infantile spasms was examined by means of overnight sleep polygraphy. Also the correlation between the changes of these parameters and the prognosis was investigated. The results were as follows: 1) In all cases, the awake time of TIB during hormone therapy was longer than before hormone therapy. The reduction of REM sleep time of SPT and lowering of REM density were remarkable during hormone therapy in cases with delayed psychomotor development as compared with cases with a considerable degree of psychomotor development. During hormone therapy, the NREM sleep time of SPT was shortened in cases with ACTH therapy, and prolonged in case with hydrocortisone therapy. 2) During hormone therapy, the pulse rate increased significantly in cases with a considerable degree of psychomotor development, but decreased significantly in cases with delayed psychomotor development. The change of respiratory rate by hormone therapy was not remarkable in all cases. 3) In cases with hypsarhythmic EEG records, the number of spikes decreased drastically by hormone therapy. In the case with EEG record of focal spikes, the number of spikes increased by hormone therapy. From the results mentioned above, the mechanism for effectiveness of hormone therapy and correlation between the administration of hormone therapy and prognosis was discussed.