children s health issues
Infantile Spasms
Symptoms of Infantile Spasms
Spasms usually consist of a sudden jerk (spasm) of the trunk and limbs that looks very much like the infant has startled. Sometimes the spasms involve only slight nodding of the head. Spasms may last several seconds, and children usually have many spasms in clusters, one right after the other. Spasms typically occur soon after children wake up and occasionally occur when falling asleep. In most affected children, intellectual development, including development of language skills, is slow, and Intellectual Disability is present. When infantile spasms start, children who are developing normally may at least temporarily stop smiling or lose developmental skills that they have learned, such as being able to sit up or roll over. 