pediatrics
Infantile Spasms
Symptoms and Signs of Infantile Spasms
Spasms begin with a sudden, rapid, tonic contraction of the trunk and limbs, sometimes for several seconds. Spasms range from subtle head nodding to contraction of the whole body. They involve flexion, extension, or, more often, both (mixed). The spasms usually occur in clusters, often several dozen, in close succession and occur typically after children wake up and occasionally when falling asleep. Sometimes, at first, they are mistaken for startles. Developmental delays (see Childhood Development ) may be present before the onset of infantile spasm. In infants with normal development, developmental regression can occur (eg, children may stop smiling or lose the ability to sit up or roll over). Rate of premature death ranges from 5 to 31% ( Symptoms and signs reference ) and is related to the etiology of the infantile spasms. 1.Riikonen R: Long-term outcome of West syndrome: A study of adults with a history of infantile spasms.Epilepsia37(4):367–372, 1996. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1996.tb00573.x 