Infantile spasms, also known as West Syndrome, are a rare but severe form of epilepsy primarily affecting infants. Early recognition and treatment are important to minimize profound developmental consequences.
What Are Infantile Spasms?
Infantile spasms are a specific type of seizure characterized by sudden, brief movements. These often involve a sudden stiffening of the body, arms, and legs, or a forward bending of the head and torso. Each spasm typically lasts only a second or two, but they almost always occur in clusters, with multiple spasms happening in quick succession over several minutes.
Onset usually occurs between 2 and 12 months of age, peaking between 3 and 8 months. This severe form of epilepsy can disrupt normal brain development. If left untreated, infantile spasms can lead to significant developmental delays or regression, impacting a child’s learning and acquired skills.
Spasms During Sleep: What to Know
Infantile spasms can occur when an infant is sleeping, though they are more commonly observed just after waking up. While less frequent during deep sleep, spasms can happen during lighter sleep stages or as the infant transitions between sleep and wakefulness. Their presentation during sleep is often subtle, making them challenging for parents to detect.
When spasms happen during sleep, the movements may be less pronounced compared to waking episodes. Instead of a dramatic “jackknife” movement, there might be only a slight stiffening of the body, a subtle head nod, or minor shifts in the infant’s position. These muted movements can sometimes be mistaken for normal sleep movements or startle reflexes. Observing any unusual repetitive movements during sleep, particularly those occurring in clusters, warrants careful attention.
Identifying Infantile Spasms
Recognizing infantile spasms involves observing specific patterns and types of movements. The classic presentation often involves a sudden bending forward of the head and trunk with arms flung out, sometimes called a “jackknife” or “salaam” movement. Spasms can also appear as a stiffening of the body and legs with the head thrown back.
Subtle signs include brief head nodding, eye deviation, or a sudden tensing of the abdomen or grimacing. These brief movements typically occur in “clusters,” meaning multiple spasms happen one after another, often every 5-10 seconds, over a period of several minutes. Parents might also notice a loss of previously acquired developmental skills, such as smiling, babbling, rolling over, or sitting, which often coincides with the onset of spasms.
Next Steps After Suspicion
If there is any suspicion that an infant is experiencing spasms, seeking immediate medical attention is important. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to help minimize potential long-term developmental impacts associated with this condition. Delaying evaluation can increase the risk of permanent brain injury and hinder a child’s developmental potential.
Parents should contact their pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist without delay. Capturing video recordings of the suspected spasms is highly beneficial, as this visual evidence can significantly assist medical professionals in making an accurate diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis typically involves an electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures brain electrical activity and often reveals a characteristic disorganized pattern known as hypsarrhythmia in infants with spasms.