Spastic diplegia and other motor disturbances in infants receiving interferon-alpha

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-1-2004

Journal

Laryngoscope

Volume

114

Issue

7

DOI

10.1097/00005537-200407000-00017

Keywords

Hemangiomas; Interferon; Motor disturbances; Neurological complications; Spastic diplegia

Abstract

Objective: To determine how frequently the use of -interferon (-IFN) is associated with the development of spastic diplegia. Study Design and Methods: Meta-analysis of 600 English manuscripts published January 1991 to June 2002 reporting -IFN use in infants/ children. We identified 3,113 children 18 years of age or younger and an estimated 3,055 children 12 years of age or younger who received -IFN therapy. Sixty-nine percent were treated for chronic hepatitis and 14% for vascular neoplasms. Outcome Measure: Neurologic examination to confirm spastic diplegia or a motor developmental disturbance other than spastic diplegia such as hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, gait disturbances, or impaired fine motor control. Results: Including our index case, 11 of 441 children with vascular lesions developed spastic diplegia and an additional 16 of 441 developed a motor developmental disturbance. All of these children were less than 1 year of age at initiation of therapy. Mean age of initiation and duration of -IFN therapy were not significantly different between groups (P > .05); however, motor developmental disturbances improved with cessation of therapy, whereas spastic diplegia did not. No child receiving treatment for chronic hepatitis developed neurologic complications; however, only 49 children were less than 1 year of age at initiation of therapy. Conclusion: -IFN should not be used in infants under 1 year of age unless life-threatening conditions do not respond to any other form of treatment. If -IFN must be used, children should have monthly neurologic examinations. If a motor developmental disturbance is detected and -IFN therapy can be discontinued, it should be.

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