What are the symptoms of infantile spasms?

Symptoms of Infantile Spasms (IS)

• Raise their arms over their head or stick their arms straight out to the side.
• Stiffen their legs or “tuck them into the belly,” as if having stomach pain.
• Suddenly bend at the waist.
• Drop or bob their heads briefly.
• Roll their eyes back suddenly with subtle head nodding.

What is myoclonic jerks in babies?

The baby displays involuntary and repetitive muscle jerks, termed myoclonus, in the trunk, the arms and legs, or the whole body. These movements happen when the baby is very young, usually between birth and 6 months old. Myoclonus occurs uniquely during sleep, and it always stops immediately once the infant wakes up.

Should I be worried about myoclonic jerks?

Myoclonus refers to a quick, involuntary muscle jerk. Hiccups are a form of myoclonus, as are the sudden jerks, or “sleep starts,” you may feel just before falling asleep. These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and rarely present a problem.

At what age do infantile spasms start?

Most infants with infantile spasms develop a pattern of movements called spasms, sometimes also referred to as epileptic spasms. The most common age for these spasms to begin is between 3 and 6 months of age. They can begin earlier than 3 months and sometimes begin after 12 months of age.

When do babies grow out of myoclonus?

Sleep myoclonus usually disappears after a period of weeks and has resolved in most cases by 3 months of age.

Do infantile spasms happen every day?

Babies may have as many as 100 spasms a day. The seizures may be more likely to happen just as the baby is waking up. Infantile spasms most often begin between 4 and 7 months, but can start any time in the first few years of life. Later onset spasms may also occur but are rare.

Do infantile spasms happen more at night?

Though there is almost always a cluster of spasms in the morning when the child awakens from sleep, infantile spasms can occur at any time during the day or night.

Is myoclonus always a seizure?

The condition is not epilepsy unless there are more than two seizures happening repeatedly over time. Myoclonic epilepsy in children is known as: Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.

How long do infantile spasms last?

Infantile spasms are considered an age-specific epilepsy. They typically begin in an infant between 3 and 8 months of age. In most children, IS starts by 1 year of age and usually stop by 2 to 4 years of age.

What does a myoclonic seizure look like in babies?

A child having a myoclonic seizure will have one or many brief muscle jerks, either in the whole body or just in one arm or leg. Unlike clonic seizures, the jerks are not rhythmic. Sometimes myoclonic seizures are not strong enough to cause visible movement, but the child feels a shock-like feeling in their muscles.

Are babies alert during infantile spasms?

Infantile spasms often happen one after another in a cluster with five- to 10-second pauses in between spasms. After a spasm or series of spasms, your baby may appear upset or cry — but not always. In some cases, infantile spasms are very subtle and difficult to notice.

Do babies with infantile spasms sleep more?

It is common for babies who have infantile spasms to become irritable and to go off their feeds. Their sleep pattern also changes in that they may sleep more during the day and less during the night.

How do babies act after infantile spasms?

Soon after your baby starts experiencing spasms, you’ll likely notice other changes in your baby, including: Loss of developmental milestones they had previously reached, such as rolling over, sitting, crawling and babbling. Loss of social interactions and smiling less. Increased fussiness or silence.