Introduction
West Syndrome is characterized by epileptic spasms, developmental problems, and specific brain wave pattern detectable on electroencephalography.
Symptoms
The infantile spasms usually begin in the first year of life, typically between 4-8 months. The seizures primarily consist of a sudden bending forward of the body with stiffening of the arms and legs; some children arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs. Spasms tend to occur upon awakening or after feeding, and often occur in clusters of up to 100 spasms at a time. Infants may have dozens of clusters and several hundred spasms per day. Infantile spasms usually stop by age five, but may be replaced by other types of seizures.
Causes
Unknown
Prevalence
1:100’000