Effects of high-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy in Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

Abstract

Two children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome were successfully treated with antiepileptic drugs and a high-dose intravenous corticosteroid. A combination of valproate and a benzodiazepine (clonazepam or diazepam) ameliorated epileptic seizures and electroencephalographic spikes and waves, but speech disturbances persisted. Both patients were treated with an intravenous infusion of high-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (20 mg/kg daily) for 3 consecutive days. This infusion was repeated three times with a 4-day interval between treatments, which resulted in a rapid improvement in speech ability. After intravenous therapy, prednisolone was given orally (2 mg/kg daily for 1 month, then gradually withdrawn), which maintained the clinical improvement in speech.

• Authors: T Tsuru, M Mori, M Mizuguchi, M Y Momoi
• Journal: Pediatric neurology (Pediatr Neurol) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 145-7 (Feb 2000) ISSN: 0887-8994 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10738922 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Prednisolone
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Aphasia (drug therapy)
• Child
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Electroencephalography
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Pulse Therapy, Drug
• Recovery of Function
• Treatment Outcome