pediatrics
Infantile Spasms
Introduction
Infantile spasms are seizures characterized by sudden flexion of the arms, forward flexion of the trunk, extension of the legs, and hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalography. Treatment is adrenocorticotropic hormone, oral corticosteroids, orvigabatrin. Infantile spasms last a few seconds and can recur many times a day. They usually manifest in children<1 year of age. Seizures may resolve spontaneously by about 5 years of age but are often replaced by other types of seizures. Pathophysiology is unknown; however, infantile spasms may reflect abnormal interactions between the cortex and brain stem. 