Objective: To compare the levels of T cell subsets

immunoglobulins and cytokines before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy in children with infantile spasm

so as to explore the important role of immunology in the pathogenesis and treatment of infantile spasm. Methods: Fasting venous blood before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy was collected from healthy infants and children with infantile spasm

and the contents of CD3+

CD4+

CD8+

intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)

IgA

IgG

IgM

interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured and compared. Results: Compared with healthy infants

the levels of CD3+

CD4+ and IgA decreased significantly

while the levels of CD8+

ICAM-1

IgG

IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly in the case group before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment of 3 months

the levels of CD4+ and IgA increased significantly

while the levels of CD8+

ICAM-1 and IgG decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment

the levels of IgA in the case group increased significantly

and the levels of CD8+

ICAM-1

IgG decreased significantly after treatment of 3 months (P<0.05). Conclusion: Children with infantile spasms have immune dysfunction

and the serological immune indicators have changed after hormone therapy

which further supports the importance of immune factors in infantile spasm from the perspective of pathogenesis and treatment