Left untreated, infantile spasms can lead to serious outcomes, including an estimated infant mortality rate of between 5% and 6%. The most significant concern, however, is that infantile spasms are associated with autism and intellectual deficits that permanently affect quality of life. Click to see full answer.
What happens if the infantile spasms stop?
What happens if infantile spasms are left untreated? Left untreated , infantile spasms can lead to serious outcomes, including an estimated infant mortality rate of between 5% and 6%. The most significant concern, however, is that infantile spasms are associated with autism and intellectual deficits that permanently affect quality of life.
Does hypsarrhythmia suggest infantile spasms in children?
Apr 25, 2022 · An epileptic spasm is a specific type of seizure seen in an epilepsy syndrome of infancy and childhood often called West Syndrome. These are more commonly called infantile spasms (IS) since they are seen most often in the first year of life. West Syndrome/IS is characterized by epileptic spasms, developmental problems, and a specific brain wave ...
What is the difference between infantile spasms and seizures?
Jan 25, 2018 · Failure to Diagnose and Treat Infantile Spasms Can Cause Developmental Delays, Brain Damage and Autism in Infants. Infantile spasms are rare. They usually occur in infants below the age of two. They can be easily missed. They can be misdiagnosed by physicians who have not familiarized themselves with the disorder.
What are the treatments for infantile spasms?
Nov 30, 2020 · Soon after the spasms begin, parents may notice a number of changes in their baby: Loss of developmental milestones previously learned (e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling) . Loss of social interactions and smiles. Increased fussiness or silence.
What happens if you don't treat infantile spasms?
Do infantile spasms cause brain damage?
Can a baby with infantile spasms live a normal life?
Can babies grow out of infantile spasms?
Do infantile spasms cause mental retardation?
Is infantile spasm curable?
Is infantile spasms genetic?
Are infantile spasms painful?
Do babies with infantile spasms sleep more?
Are infantile spasms serious?
How do you stop infantile spasms?
Do infantile spasms happen every day?
When do infantile spasms occur?
It typically begins between 2-12 months of age and peaks between 4-8 months of age.
What causes infantile spasms?
There are many causes of infantile spasms; almost any brain abnormality or brain injury can cause them. More than 50 genetic/metabolic diseases are associated with infantile spasms, and many patients have other disorders that cause developmental delays (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, etc.) prior to the onset of the spasms. ...
How do you know if your baby has spasms?
Soon after the spasms begin, parents may notice a number of changes in their baby: 1 Loss of developmental milestones previously learned (e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling) 2 Loss of social interactions and smiles 3 Increased fussiness or silence
What is the best treatment for infantile spasms?
The American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society recommend adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) as the first line of therapy for infantile spasms. This medication is given as a shot. The first doses are given in the hospital so your child can be closely watched for any side effects.
Who is Kelly Cervantes' daughter?
Above, epilepsy advocate Kelly Cervantes with daughter Adelaide , son Jackson and husband Miguel Cervantes. Adelaide was diagnosed with infantile spasms when their family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in "Hamilton: An American Musical.".
Why is watching a baby's movements important?
Watching your baby's every movement typically brings parents so much joy. But when a baby shows signs and symptoms of a serious neurological condition such as infantile spasms (IS), that joy can quickly turn into concern.
When do infantile spasms stop?
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.
What is epileptic spasm?
An epileptic spasm is a specific type of seizure seen in an epilepsy syndrome of infancy and childhood often called West Syndrome. These are more commonly called infantile spasms (IS) since they are seen most often in the first year of life. West Syndrome/IS is characterized by epileptic spasms, developmental problems, and a specific brain wave pattern on electroencephalography (EEG) testing called hypsarrhythmia. The onset is usually in the first year of life, typically between 4-8 months. The seizures often look like a sudden bending forward of the body with stiffening of the arms and legs lasting for 1-2 seconds; some children arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs. Spasms tend to occur upon awakening and often occur in multiple clusters and hundreds of seizures per day. Most children, but not all, will have EEG readings of hypsarrhythmia. 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.
What is West syndrome?
West Syndrome/IS is characterized by epileptic spasms, developmental problems, and a specific brain wave pattern on electroencephalography (EEG) testing called hypsarrhythmia.
How long does it take for a seizure to start?
The onset is usually in the first year of life, typically between 4-8 months. The seizures often look like a sudden bending forward of the body with stiffening of the arms and legs lasting for 1-2 seconds; some children arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs.
What is the prognosis for children with IS?
The prognosis for children with IS is largely dependent on the underlying cause. The intellectual prognosis for children with IS is generally poor because many babies with IS have neurological impairment prior to the onset of spasms. Children who have rapid initiation of treatment, normal development prior to infantile spasms, and no identifiable cause may do well. IS usually resolves by mid-childhood, but more than half of the children with IS will develop other types of seizures such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, an epileptic disorder of later childhood. In addition, children with IS are at a higher risk for autism. Shorter duration between the onset of IS and initiation of standard treatment appears to lead to an improved outcome; therefore early recognition of the seizures and early treatment are essential.
Can you face neurologic disorder alone?
You don’t need to face a neurologic disorder alone. Reach out to receive emotional support and practical help from a caregiver who has lived through a similar experience and is trained to provide support.
What is NINDS research?
The NINDS supports broad and varied programs of research on epilepsy and other seizure disorders aimed at discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat these disorders. Studies looking at the cellular, mlolecular, and genetic bases of epilepsy may lead to new therapies. In one project, scientists are investigating whether insulin growth factor-1, which has been shown to have neuroprotective aspects in some studies, can reduce the serious side effects of vigabatrin in order to develop a new combination therapy for infantile epilepsy.Epilepsy
How to diagnose infantile spasms?
Infantile spasms are diagnosed by a pediatric neurologist (a doctor who specializes in brain, spine and nervous system problems). Testing may include: 1 blood tests and urine tests (to look for infections or illnesses) 2 EEG, or electroencephalography (to see brain waves/electrical activity in the brain). A particular EEG finding called "hypsarrhythmia" often confirms the diagnosis, but not every child with infantile spasms will have this. 3 VEEG, or video electroencephalography (EEG with video recording) 4 CAT scan, MRI, and PET/MRI scans to look inside the brain
How long do spasms last?
Spasms start suddenly and last a second or two. They often come one after another in a cluster that lasts several minutes. They happen most often just after waking. They're often mistaken for colic, reflux, or hiccupping. A baby having a spasm might have:
What is the best test for infantile spasms?
Testing may include: EEG, or electroencephalography (to see brain waves/electrical activity in the brain).
How do seizures affect a baby?
The seizures (or spasms) make muscles in the arms and legs stiff and bend the baby's head forward. They look very much like a startle. Babies also might have slowed development or loss of skills (like babbling, sitting, or crawling). Although the spasms usually go away by the time a child is 4 years old, many babies with IS will have other kinds ...