Infantile Spasms

Infantile spasms (also called epileptic spasms) are a form of epilepsy that happen to babies typically under 12 months of age. Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by abnormal electrical discharges in your brain.
Infantile spasms look like brief tensing or jerking spells that involve your baby’s abdomen (belly), head, neck, arms and/or legs. The spasms last for one to two seconds and usually happen one after another (in a series or cluster) every five to 10 seconds. Infantile spasms most commonly occur after your baby awakes from sleep.
Babies affected by infantile spasms often already have or later have developmental delays or developmental regression.
If your baby is experiencing spasms, it’s important to receive occupational therapy as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are key for good prognosis.