ABSTRACT
Infantile spasms is an epilepsy syndrome associated with acquired mental retardation that affects infants usually between the third and eighth month of life. It was recognized as far back as 1841 when Dr. West described a condition afflicting his infant son. It is a generalized seizure disorder characterized by clusters of sudden flexor or extensor jerks. Spasms are often initially misdiagnosed as colic or gastroesophageal reflux before they increase in frequency and severity. In many children, loss of developmental milestones can occur. West syndrome specifically is the triad of infantile spasms, psychomotor regression, and the electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern of hypsarrhythmia. The incidence of infantile spasms is low, but the disorder is not uncommon, with approximately 1 per 3000 births.
