pediatrics
Infantile Spasms
Key Points
Infantile spasms last a few seconds and can recur many times a day; they may resolve spontaneously by about 5 years of age but are often replaced by other types of seizures. Usually, infantile spasms occur in infants with serious brain disorders and developmental abnormalities that often have already been recognized; tuberous sclerosis complex is a common cause. Do electroencephalography to confirm the diagnosis, and other tests (eg, brain MRI and metabolic and genetic testing) to evaluate the cause of infantile spasm. Infantile spasms can be treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),vigabatrin(the drug of choice for spasms caused by tuberous sclerosis complex), or oral corticosteroids. 