Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Shows No Benefit for Infant Epilepsy Spasms
A randomized controlled double-blind study on the brain protection of infantile patients with epileptic spasm syndrome through atomized inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen gas
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Chen Chen, Wen He, Jian Chen, Xiu-Yu Shi, Guang Yang, Jing Wang, Yang-Yang Wang, Pei-Li Hu, Fang Han, Yan Meng, Li-Ping Zou
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Year
- 2026
- PMID
- 41908285
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 53
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 4 daily 1-hour inhalations for 14 consecutive days
- H₂ concentration
- 66.6% H₂/33.3% O₂
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Funding
- National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2706304); National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2706305)
- Conflicts of interest
- None declared
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen–oxygen inhalation did not improve treatment outcomes in infantile epileptic spasms but was generally tolerated, with some increases in mild adverse effects.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-oxygen gas inhalation did not improve seizure control or brain activity in children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome compared to standard treatment alone, and was linked to higher rates of heart enzyme elevation, digestive problems, and liver function abnormalities.
Summary
Researchers tested whether breathing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas could help children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (a serious seizure disorder) when added to their regular treatment. Over 14 days, 53 children either inhaled hydrogen-oxygen gas or regular air for one hour daily. The hydrogen-oxygen treatment did not reduce seizures or improve brain activity better than regular treatment alone, and it was associated with more cases of elevated heart enzymes, stomach problems, and liver function abnormalities.
Practical Takeaway
This controlled study in children found no clinical benefit from hydrogen-oxygen inhalation as an add-on therapy for this serious seizure disorder, and raised safety concerns about potential effects on the heart, liver, and digestive system. Anyone considering hydrogen therapies for neurological conditions should consult their doctor, as this evidence does not support its use for epileptic spasms in children.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objective Hydrogen-oxygen nebulization inhalation has a brain-protective effect. This study aims to evaluate its short-term efficacy and safety as an adjuvant treatment for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). Methods A prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial enrolled 53 IESS…