Infantile spasms is an age-specific epileptic disorder of infancy and early childhood. This condition is characterized by hypsarrhythmia on the EEG and three spasms viz. the flexor spasms, the extensor spasms, and the flexor-extensor spasms. This article summarizes the clinical presentation and diagnosis for the infantile spasms . Infantile spasms were first discovered by West in 1841.
West syndrome is characterized by the triad of spasms, psychomotor developmental arrest, and hypsarrhythmia on the EEG. The clinical presentation of the infantile spasms is as follows: Onset: The majority of affected population present at less than one year of age, with a range of one day to 4.5 years. The peak in incidence of infantile spasms is between 3 and 7 months. Spasm characteristics: Infantile spasms are characterized by symmetric and synchronous spasms involving the neck muscles, trunk, and…
