West syndrome represents spasms of individual muscle groups or general spastic contractions that develop in children under four years of age, more often between 4 and 6 months. Treatment of West syndrome in Israel is carried out according to a comprehensive program by high-class pediatric neurologists who apply the latest achievements in medicine and pharmacology in their practice. Neurosurgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries that are easily tolerated by small children and do not harm the developing organism. Robotic surgical interventions and sessions of stereotactic surgery are increasingly performed in Israeli medical centers. The high effectiveness of conservative therapy allows for symptom relief and improved prognosis in more than 85% of cases without resorting to surgery.
For the success of therapy, it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis as early as possible and establish a treatment plan. The similarity of the symptoms of West syndrome largely resembles the signs of several similar pathologies, which complicates diagnosis. Modern high-precision equipment in Israeli clinics allows for the rapid determination of the causes of the disturbances, assessment of the condition of cerebral tissues and structures, and the overall condition of the child. The use of modern treatment methods in Israel allows more than 65% of patients to achieve the absence of epileptic seizures during development. Feedback from parents of small patients confirms the effectiveness and affordable cost of therapy, the disappearance of muscle spasms in the child, and the creation of the most comfortable conditions for the child in clinics.
Treatment methods for the disease
West syndrome, or infantile spasms, has been known for almost two hundred years. Initially, the pathology was considered one of the forms of epilepsy and was recognized as a separate disease in the middle of the last century. Subsequently, research using the latest technologies revealed focal lesions in the brain tissue, leading to the classification of the disease as epileptic encephalopathy.
In most patients, West syndrome is secondary and develops as a result of intrauterine infections, birth injuries, and fetal hypoxia, as well as brain structural defects. There is also a noted connection between the disease and genetic and chromosomal mutations, particularly Down syndrome.
In most cases, the first symptoms of West syndrome manifest in the first year of the child's life. The main clinical signs are spasms of various muscle groups and delays in psychomotor development. The child starts to hold their head, crawl, and walk later, and there are mild deviations in intellectual development.
The treatment plan includes techniques and medications selected based on examination results, taking into account the frequency and severity of seizures, the form of the disease, and a number of other factors.
Medication treatment
In Israeli clinics, the selection of medications for this disease is approached with particular care, considering the requirements for treating a small child. Low-toxicity medications rarely cause side effects, have few contraindications, and significantly reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures within a few days.
The medication therapy plan necessarily includes the following types of medications:
- antiepileptic drugs — reduce the excessive excitability of neurons in the brain that contributes to the development of seizures;
- steroid hormones — the administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and prednisone significantly improves the patient's condition, completely eliminating infantile spasms and correcting characteristic pathological changes in the EEG;
- drugs to improve cerebral blood circulation;
- agents that help normalize metabolism and metabolic processes in brain tissues.
Relatively recently, clinics in Israel began using stem cells that are precursors to neurons for the treatment of various types of epilepsy. This innovative method, which involves restoring the affected area of the brain, has proven effective in the most severe cases. As a result, there is a gradual disappearance of muscle spasms, stabilization of the patient's condition, and the return of the ability for normal development.
Surgical treatment
If the child's condition does not improve with the prescribed medications, the need for neurosurgery is considered. Neurosurgeons in Israeli medical centers successfully perform resection of the pathological focus using an endoscopic approach. If surgical removal is not possible, callosotomy is performed — cutting the corpus callosum responsible for communication between the brain hemispheres.
If the pathological focus is located in an area inaccessible to the neurosurgeon, stereotactic radiosurgery sessions performed on the CyberKnife system serve as a full alternative. This method is based on the destructive effect of ionizing radiation on pathological tissues. Radioactive beams are directed from multiple points, while normal tissues are minimally affected.
Rehabilitation program
After completing the course of therapy, the child is prescribed a rehabilitation program aimed at the rapid recovery of lost functions. Patients are recommended:
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- therapeutic massage;
- therapeutic gymnastics;
- orthopedic devices (orthoses);
- kinesiotherapy.
Dietary nutrition
In Israeli clinics, in addition to conducting therapeutic procedures, patients are prescribed a ketogenic diet based on a high-fat intake with limited consumption of proteins and carbohydrates. This type of nutrition is particularly effective for patients aged 2 to 10 years. Adhering to a ketogenic diet activates ketone synthesis, which helps reduce seizure activity. Research shows that about two-thirds of patients experienced a twofold reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures.
Modern methods of diagnosing the pathology
Accurate diagnosis, which largely determines the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, is conducted in Israeli clinics, on average, within three days.
Upon arrival in the country and registering at the clinic, parents with the child go for a consultation with a leading pediatric neurologist. During the appointment, the doctor talks to the parents, learns about the pregnancy and delivery details, and collects the family history. After conducting a neurological examination, the specialist, if necessary, issues referrals for consultations with a pediatrician, epileptologist, and geneticist, and compiles a list of required examinations.
Performing the prescribed types of diagnostic procedures:
- laboratory tests of blood and urine;
- electroencephalogram (EEG), which needs to be conducted during seizures and in between them;
- neurological tests;
- computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain;
- cerebral vessel angiography.
The results are reviewed by a panel consisting of a neurologist and specialized experts. After studying the indicators, the doctors collectively establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
How much does treatment for the disease cost
Among the most relevant questions for foreign patients is the cost of the therapeutic course. Treatment in Israel costs approximately 30% less than in Western Europe and 50% less than in the USA.
Advantages of treatment in Israel
- International level of doctor training.
- Involvement of a group of specialized experts in the diagnosis and treatment process.
- Equipping clinics with the latest medical equipment.
- Maximally comfortable conditions for the child.
- Affordable prices.
Timely provision of comprehensive therapy developed by specialists recognized in many countries will allow for recovery and normal further development of the child. Do not hesitate, contact your chosen Israeli clinic and confidently entrust your child's health to high-class doctors.