Key outcome parameters in West syndrome/Infantile spasms (irrespective of cause)

Suppression of spasms (in response to treatment)	50 to 90%
Development of other seizure types	50 to 70% (intractable in 40 to 50%)
Evolution into the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome	20 to 50%
Learning difficulties (usually moderate or severe)	70 to 90%*
Psychiatric (including autistic) dysfunction	20 to 40%*
Mortality	5 to 30% (of which 50% are disease, and 50% treatment-related)

* This figure is reported to be potentially lower in children with infantile spasms due to tuberous sclerosis treated by vigabatrin.^[1]

Reference:

Jambaqué I, Chiron C, Dumas C, et al. Mental and behavioural outcome of infantile epilepsy treated by vigabatrin in tuberous sclerosis patients. Epilepsy Res 2000; 38:151.

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