West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm) Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yuta Sasaoka, MD (Pediatrics)
Dr. Sasaoka graduated from the Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine. After working in the Department of Pediatrics at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, the Emergency Center at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's General Medical Center, he joined the Sapporo Medical University Advanced Emergency Medical Center in April 2020. Dr. Sasaoka is well versed in pediatric emergency medicine, covering a wide range of pediatrics and emergency medicine. He is also a certified AHA-PALS instructor and focuses on pediatric secondary life support education at the Hokkaido Training Site.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Twitching
Tendency to nod repeatedly
Fever seizures (with fever of >100.4°F / 38°C)
Feel anxiety suddenly
The first seizure
Repetitive seizures
Repetitive actions such as shaking, noding, etc
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
What is West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)?
A type of epilepsy (recurrent seizures) that occurs in young children. These are more commonly called infantile spasms (IS) because they are seen most often in the first year of life, typically between ages 4 and 8 months. They often look like a sudden bending forward of the body with stiffening of the arms and legs lasting for one to two seconds; some children arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs. Spasms tend to happen when the infant wakes up, and often happen in many clusters, with hundreds of seizures per day. It results from damage to the developing brain, with various causes like chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Down's syndrome), brain malformations, or brain infections.
Typical Symptoms of West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
Seizure
Losing consciousness
Repetitive movements e.g. head-shaking, nodding
Seizure shortly after waking up
History of epilepsy
Child is developing slower than his or her peers
Weakness in arms or legs
Spontaneous clonic muscle contractions
Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Have you had a seizure?
Have you temporarily lost consciousness?
Do you have repetitive head movements such as shaking or nodding?
Did you have a seizure after waking up?
Have you ever been diagnosed with epilepsy?
Treatmentof West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
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. Treatment aims to reduce seizure frequency. Options for treatment include hormone therapy, a ketogenic diet, and anti-seizure medications.
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West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
View the symptoms of West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
Diseases related to West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
References
Infantile Spasms - National Institute of Health
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/infantile-spasms#:~:text=What%20are%20infantile%20spasms%3F,ages%204%20and%208%20months.
User Testimonials
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yuta Sasaoka, MD (Pediatrics)
Dr. Sasaoka graduated from the Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine. After working in the Department of Pediatrics at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, the Emergency Center at Hakodate Municipal Hospital, and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's General Medical Center, he joined the Sapporo Medical University Advanced Emergency Medical Center in April 2020. Dr. Sasaoka is well versed in pediatric emergency medicine, covering a wide range of pediatrics and emergency medicine. He is also a certified AHA-PALS instructor and focuses on pediatric secondary life support education at the Hokkaido Training Site.
Think you might have
West Syndrome (Infantile Spasm)
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