What are infantile spasms? Infantile spasms, sometimes called West syndrome, are a type of seizure that occurs in babies. The spasms look like a sudden stiffening of muscles, and the baby’s arms, legs, or head may bend forward. The seizures occur in a series of short spasms, about one to two seconds in length.
What’s the difference between a spasm and a seizure?
An epileptic spasm is a sudden flexion, extension or mixed flexion-extension of proximal and truncal muscles, lasting 1-2 seconds i.e. longer than a myoclonic jerk (which lasts milliseconds) but not as long as a tonic seizure (which lasts > 2 seconds).
How can you tell if an infant is having a seizure?
What are the symptoms of a seizure in a child?
- Staring.
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Stiffening of the body.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.
What can mimic infantile spasms?
Non-epileptic phenomenon can mimic infantile spasms. Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus refers to abnormal jerky movements, that generally occurs in the first month of life, only during sleep.
Can a spasm be a seizure?
Myoclonic seizures are characterized by brief, jerking spasms of a muscle or muscle group. They often occur with atonic seizures, which cause sudden muscle limpness.
When do infantile spasms start?
Most infants with infantile spasms develop a pattern of movements called spasms, sometimes also referred to as epileptic spasms. The most common age for these spasms to begin is between 3 and 6 months of age. They can begin earlier than 3 months and sometimes begin after 12 months of age.
Can EEG miss infantile spasms?
Very occasionally when the EEG is done it is completely normal, even when the infant is asleep. This can occur even when the spasms seem to be typical spasms. These infants do not have infantile spasms or West syndrome and are said to have “benign infantile myoclonus”.
What is the difference between a seizure and spasm?
This is a seizure: a sudden, disorganizes electrical discharge in the brain causing muscle twitches and spasms, changes in sensation, mood, behavior or thought, or altered consciousness. A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.
When do infantile spasms usually begin?
Infantile spasms typically begin between 3 and 12 months of age and usually stop by the age of 2 to 4 years. The spasms appear as a sudden jerk or jolt followed by stiffening.
What are the causes of infant seizures?
Infections of the central nervous system may cause seizures. These include meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue itself. Bacteria, viruses and, rarely, fungi can cause these infections. In babies, viruses such as enteroviruses can cause encephalitis.
What causes infantile spasms or West syndrome?
Changes in your child’s genes
