How common are infantile spasms?

How common are infantile spasms?

What are infantile spasms? Infantile spasms, first described with a group of symptoms known as West syndrome, is a form of epilepsy ​that occurs in 1 in 2,000 children.

Are infantile spasms the same as West syndrome?

Infantile spasms (IS) are a type of seizure that is linked to an epileptic condition known as West syndrome. West syndrome affects infants and children. Infantile spasms are linked to mental delays.

What is the prognosis of infantile spasms?

What’s the outlook for children with infantile spasms? Most children with infantile spasms have intellectual disabilities later in life. Children with IS have a higher chance of moderate to severe developmental delay if they have an underlying brain disorder or injury.

Do infantile spasms only happen in clusters?

Symptoms. In 9 out of 10 children with the condition, infantile spasms happen in the first year of life, typically between 3 and 8 months of age. To begin with, the spasms are usually infrequent and do not happen in clusters. Therefore it is quite common for the diagnosis to be made quite late.

How do I know if my baby has infantile spasms?

Symptoms of Infantile Spasms (IS)

1. Raise their arms over their head or stick their arms straight out to the side.
2. Stiffen their legs or “tuck them into the belly,” as if having stomach pain.
3. Suddenly bend at the waist.
4. Drop or bob their heads briefly.
5. Roll their eyes back suddenly with subtle head nodding.

What’s the difference between a spasm and a seizure?

Infantile spasms typically consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. During the characteristic seizures (spasms), the child’s arms fling outward as the knees pull up and the body bends forward. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but multiple episodes can occur close together in a series — or cluster.

How do you distinguish between Startile reflex and infantile spasms?

While infantile spasms can look similar to a normal startle reflex in babies, there are ways to help tell the difference: Frequency: Loud noises, bright light or sudden movement can trigger a baby to startle. But unlike that single startle reflex, infantile spasms typically happen back-to-back, or in clusters.

Can you grow out of infantile spasms?

Infantile spasms usually stop by age five, but may be replaced by other seizure types. Many underlying disorders, such as birth injury, metabolic disorders, and genetic disorders can give rise to IS, making it important to identify the underlying cause. In some children, no cause can be found.

Why do babies get infantile spasms?

Infantile spasms can be caused by problems with the way the brain developed in the womb, infections, brain injury, or abnormal blood vessels in the brain (such as an arteriovenous malformations). Infantile spasms also can happen in babies with some types of metabolic and genetic disorders.