What can trigger infantile spasms?
What causes infantile spasms? Infantile spasms may be associated with specific disorders, such as tuberous sclerosis, certain genetic abnormalities, or brain injury or infection. In some cases there is no known cause.
What are the signs of infantile spasms?
Symptoms of Infantile Spasms (IS)
- Raise their arms over their head or stick their arms straight out to the side.
- Stiffen their legs or “tuck them into the belly,” as if having stomach pain.
- Suddenly bend at the waist.
- Drop or bob their heads briefly.
- Roll their eyes back suddenly with subtle head nodding.
What is the first line treatment for infantile spasms?
ACTH. ACTH is probably the most universally accepted first-line treatment of infantile spasms, stemming from the class 1 randomized controlled trials performed from 1983-1999 that show its efficacy (36-39).
How do you treat infantile spasms?
How are infantile spasms treated?
- ACTH is given by injection into a muscle and prednisone or prednisolone is given by mouth to swallow.
- Side effects of steroid or ACTH therapy include infection, high blood pressure, stomach irritation, irritability, weight gain and puffiness.
Can a baby with infantile spasms live a normal life?
The Etiologic Diagnosis
An etiologic diagnosis is very important because it can lead to initiation of a specific therapy that may markedly improve the long-term developmental outcome. In fact, some children with infantile spasms may ultimately lead normal lives, but only if they are diagnosed and treated correctly.
Do babies grow out of infantile spasms?
Infantile spasms usually stop by age five, but may be replaced by other seizure types. Many underlying disorders, such as birth injury, metabolic disorders, and genetic disorders can give rise to IS, making it important to identify the underlying cause. In some children, no cause can be found.
Can infantile spasms be stopped?
Do babies outgrow infantile spasms?
Infantile spasms usually stop by age five, but may be replaced by other seizure types. Many underlying disorders, such as birth injury, metabolic disorders, and genetic disorders can give rise to IS, making it important to identify the underlying cause.
Do infantile spasms hurt?
They may have many series of spasms per day. This type of seizure is usually only seen in young children. After a spasm, the baby may cry or laugh. The spasms do not cause pain, but the baby may cry because the quick jerking movement surprises them.
Can you live a normal life with infantile spasms?
An etiologic diagnosis is very important because it can lead to initiation of a specific therapy that may markedly improve the long-term developmental outcome. In fact, some children with infantile spasms may ultimately lead normal lives, but only if they are diagnosed and treated correctly.
What is the life expectancy of a child with infantile spasms?
About five in every 100 infants and children with West syndrome do not survive beyond five years of age. A study of 214 Finnish children over 25 years of age showed about 61% dying at or before age 10 years.
Can infantile spasms cause brain damage?
Infantile spasms are a complex and rare disorder that can have very serious consequences. It can lead to death in some children and cause intellectual disabilities and developmental problems in others. Even if the seizures are managed, the damaging brain effects can remain.