Infantile Spasms (West Syndrome)
Topic Overview
Infantile spasms (West syndrome) are muscle spasms that affect a
child's head, torso, and limbs. Infantile spasms usually begin before the age
of 6 months.
- Most children with infantile spasms have
below-average intelligence. More than half have severe
disabilities.
- Although an exact cause cannot always be found,
infantile spasms may be caused by diseases, injuries, or infections that
occurred before or during birth.
Infantile spasms are treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (Acthar)
or prednisone. They generally do not respond well to medicines used to treat
epilepsy. Vigabatrin (Sabril) may also be an effective
treatment for infantile spasms especially when they are caused by a disease
called tuberous sclerosis.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
Current as ofFebruary 16, 2018
Current as of:
February 16, 2018
