What deficiencies cause neonatal seizures?
Background. B6 dependency syndromes are a group of metabolic disorders which respond to large doses of vitamin B6. Although rare, pyridoxine-dependent seizure (PDS) is a recognized cause of intractable seizures in neonates, psychomotor developmental delay, and, sometimes, death in untreated patients.
How is pyridoxine deficiency diagnosed?
Pyridoxine deficiency can be diagnosed by clinical evaluation and physical examination. Clinicians may look for the key signs of deficiency, including dermatological findings, presence of altered mental status, and peripheral neuropathy.
What is a pyridoxine disease?
Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy is a condition that involves seizures beginning in infancy or, in some cases, before birth. Those affected typically experience prolonged seizures lasting several minutes (status epilepticus).
What is pyridoxine dependent seizures?
How do you treat vitamin B6 deficiency?
Causes of vitamin B6 deficiency are corrected when possible. If people have the deficiency or if they are taking a drug that depletes vitamin B6 in the body, they should take vitamin B6 supplements by mouth. Taking vitamin B6 supplements usually corrects the deficiency in adults.
What is pyridoxine epilepsy?
Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare cause of stubborn, difficult to control, (intractable) seizures appearing in newborns, infants and occasionally older children. More than 200 patients have now been reported in the medical literature.
What vitamin deficiency can cause epilepsy?
The only vitamin deficiency known to cause or worsen seizures is a deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This deficiency occurs mainly in newborns and infants and causes seizures that are hard to control.
Why does B6 deficiency cause seizures?
Vitamin B6 deficiency and seizures Specially, PLP is an essential factor in the process of decarboxylation of glutamine into Gamma-Animobutytic Acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. A deficiency of PLP leads to decreased GABA concentration in the brain, thereby increasing the risk for seizures (18).
Can lack of B6 cause seizures?
How common is vitamin B6 deficiency?
Isolated B6 deficiency is rare and usually found in association with other B vitamin deficiencies such as folic acid and B12. Low plasma levels of active B6 are found in chronic alcohol dependence, with obese states, protein-energy malnutrition.
What are side effects of pyridoxine?
Pyridoxine can cause side effects when taken in large doses for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: headache, nausea, drowsiness, numbness/tingling of arms/legs. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
Can vitamin B6 deficiency cause seizures?