1043-3155 Pediatr Neurol Briefs pedneurbriefs Pediatr Neurol Briefs Pediatric Neurology Briefs Pediatr Neurol Briefs 2166-6482 1043-3155 2166-3155 Pediatric Neurology Briefs Publishers Chicago, IL, USA PNB-11-43-b 10.15844/pedneurbriefs-11-6-5 Antiepileptic Drugs Neurology Pediatrics Nervous System Diseases Child Development Brain Diseases Neurosurgery Child Infant Seasonal Onset Changes in Infantile Spasms http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0173-7931 Millichap J. Gordon MD 1 2 * Division of Neurology, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL Correspondence: Dr. J. Gordon Millichap, E-mail: jgmillichap@northwestern.edu 06 1997 01 05 2016 11 6 43 44 Copyright: © 1997 The Author(s) 1997 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Infantile spasms: seasonal onset differences and zeitgebers

The influence of calendar month, day length (photoperiod), and globar solar radiation (GSR) on onset of infantile spasms was reviewed retrospectively using records of 76 infants at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 Globar Solar Radiation Infantile Spasms Febrile Convulsions

The influence of calendar month, day length (photoperiod), and globar solar radiation (GSR) on onset of infantile spasms was reviewed retrospectively using records of 76 infants at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Onset frequency increased as days were shorter, with a 2.2-fold higher frequency in December/January, months with a short photoperiod and low GSR, compared to June/July. Environmental photoperiodic factors (zeitgebers) may have a role in onset of infantile spasms. [1]

COMMENT. The frequency of infantile spasm onset is highest in the fall and winter, during months with low globar solar radiation and short photoperiods. Possible causal factors suggested include seasonal variations in seizure threshold or ACTH release. Viral infections might also be a seasonal etiology.

Several factors may modify the threshold to seizures in animals and man, and seasonal variations have received little attention. Boldrey EE and Millichap JG, in a laboratory study and report of barometric pressure and seizures [2], refer to WF Petersen’s extensive treatise concerning effects of weather on disease and the relation between meteorological disturbances and onset and severity of epilepsy (1934). Also,. Tille D had observed a higher incidence of febrile convulsions related to cold weather fronts (1950).

Cortez MA Burnham WM Hwang PA Infantile spasms: seasonal onset differences and zeitgebers Pediatr Neurol 1997 Apr 16 3 220 224 10.1016/S0887-8994(97)00017-9 9165513 Boldrey EE Millichap JG Barometric pressure and seizures Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1966 Dec 123 3 968 970 10.3181/00379727-123-31649 5959042