Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome

Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome is an epilepsy syndrome beginning in infancy, marked by epileptic spasms and often accompanied by developmental slowing or regression and an abnormal EEG.

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Epileptic spasm: A brief seizure involving sudden flexion, extension, or mixed contraction of the trunk and limbs. These characteristic seizures define the syndrome and may occur in clusters.
West syndrome: An epilepsy syndrome defined by infantile spasms, developmental arrest or regression, and hypsarrhythmia. This older label emphasizes a classic triad; current terminology does not require all three features.
Tuberous sclerosis complex: A genetic disorder that causes noncancerous tumors and other abnormalities in multiple organs. It is a recognized cause of the syndrome and can guide use of vigabatrin.
Developmental delay: A slower-than-expected acquisition of skills in areas such as movement, language, or learning. Developmental delay is common, but its extent differs widely among affected children.
Hypsarrhythmia: A disorganized EEG pattern with high-amplitude slow waves and multifocal epileptiform discharges. This classic EEG pattern can accompany the syndrome, though it is not present in every case.
Infantile spasms: A seizure type involving brief contractions, usually occurring in clusters during infancy. The seizure type is central to the syndrome but can also occur in other conditions.
Brain MRI: A medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed brain images. MRI can reveal structural causes that influence treatment and prognosis.
Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by a lasting tendency to have unprovoked seizures. This syndrome is one specific form of epilepsy beginning in infancy.
Electroencephalography: A method for recording the brain’s electrical activity from electrodes on the scalp. EEG helps identify the syndrome’s characteristic abnormalities and assess treatment response.
Epilepsy syndrome: A recognizable constellation of seizure types, EEG findings, causes, and clinical features. The diagnosis groups seizures with characteristic developmental and EEG features.