What are infantile spasms symptoms?

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 causes infantile spasm?

What Causes Infantile Spasms? Infantile spasms can be caused by problems with the way the brain developed in the womb, infections, brain injury, or abnormal blood vessels in the brain (such as an arteriovenous malformations). Infantile spasms also can happen in babies with some types of metabolic and genetic disorders.

What age do infantile spasms start?

Most infants with infantile spasms develop a pattern of movements called spasms, sometimes also referred to as epileptic spasms. The most common age for these spasms to begin is between 3 and 6 months of age. They can begin earlier than 3 months and sometimes begin after 12 months of age.

What can be mistaken for infantile spasms?

Infantile spasms are caused by a condition in a baby’s brain and include repetitive, but often subtle movements—such as jerking of the mid-section, dropping of the head, raising of the arms or wide-eyed blinks. IS can be misdiagnosed as colic, reflux, or a startle reflex.

What are the signs of a baby seizure?

Symptoms of Subtle Seizures

  • Random or roving eye movements, eyelid blinking or fluttering, eyes rolling up, eye opening, staring.
  • Sucking, smacking, chewing and protruding tongue.
  • Unusual bicycling or pedalling movements of the legs.
  • Thrashing or struggling movements.
  • Long pauses in breathing (apnea)

Are infantile spasms serious?

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.

Do babies cry with infantile spasms?

Infantile spasms only last a second or two but often come in a cluster (multiple spasms in a row). Infantile spasms commonly occur around times of sleep, especially upon awakening. After a spasm, babies will often be irritable or cry.

Do infantile spasms happen all day?

Though there is almost always a cluster of spasms in the morning when the child awakens from sleep, infantile spasms can occur at any time during the day or night.

Do babies with infantile spasms sleep more?

It is common for babies who have infantile spasms to become irritable and to go off their feeds. Their sleep pattern also changes in that they may sleep more during the day and less during the night.

How long do infantile spasms last?

Infantile spasms are considered an age-specific epilepsy. They typically begin in an infant between 3 and 8 months of age. In most children, IS starts by 1 year of age and usually stop by 2 to 4 years of age.