Do you know?Parents, babies can also experience symptoms of epileptic seizures like adults, which are often referred to asWest Syndromeor syndromeWest.West syndromeis a rare form of epilepsy that can be described as short and sometimes subtle seizures that occur in infants.
These seizures typically occur before your child is 1 year old, with most babies experiencing them when they are between 3 and 7 months old.
To find out the conditionWest SyndromeIn more depth, continue to follow the medical explanation in this article.
West Syndrome Is Epilepsy in Babies
West syndrome is a type of epilepsy that affects babies. The term for this health disorder comes from the doctor who discovered it
West syndrome also known by other terms, such as infantile spasms (IS), epileptic seizures, or X-linked infantile spasm syndrome.
Quoting the pageWebMD,West SyndromeThis causes seizures, which last only a few seconds, but occur over a period of time calledcluster. There can be as many as 150 seizures in one session.cluster, and some babies can experience up to 60 clusters a day.
Children withWest Syndromemay have other symptoms such as:
- Your little one becomes easily fussy or cries easily
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping more during the day and less at night
- Acting like they can’t see
- Slowing development
In 9 out of 10 children with this condition, infantile spasms occur in the first year of life, usually between 3 and 8 months of age.
West Syndrome Symptoms
West syndromecan consist of something as simple and mild as a small movement of lowering the head or nodding. These seizures may be subtle and can appear in different ways.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation , seizures can consist of:
- The little one suddenly stiffened
- Your little one’s arms are extended as their knees draw up and with them bending at the waist
- Their heads were thrown back as their legs tensed and straightened.
- Uncontrolled repetitive movements such ashead boborbody crunching
Seizures usually last only a few seconds, but tend to occur close together in quick succession.Epilepsy.orgexplains, usually each episode lasts only 1 or 2 seconds, after which there is a pause of between five and ten seconds which is then followed by further seizures.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that babies withWest Syndromewill experience several clusters of seizures at a time, and your child may have as many as hundreds of seizures throughout the day.
West syndromeor infantile spasms also usually occur upon waking. Some organizations recommend taking a video of the event and showing it to a doctor or health care professional if you are concerned.
Causes of West Syndrome
Infantile spasms orWest Syndromeis a type of disorder caused by an abnormality or injury to your baby’s brain that can occur before or after birth. Quoting the pageHealthline, known causes may include things like:
- Brain tumor
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
- Birth injury
- brain infection
- Problems with brain development while your baby is still in the womb
These can cause chaotic brain wave activity, leading to frequent seizures. In other children, the cause of their seizures is unknown, but may be the result of an unidentified neurological problem.
Frequency of Occurrence
West syndromeis a rare neurological syndrome that can affect both males and females. The X-linked form of the syndrome affects males more often than females.
SyndromeWestIt is estimated to affect 0.31 per 1,000 live births in the United States. It also accounts for about 30 percent of all cases of epilepsy affecting infants, as quoted from the pageRare Diseases.
Risk Factors
LaunchWebMD, risk factors for seizures in babies include:
- Metabolic disorders
- Unusual brain development or formation
- Brain injury due to lack of oxygen
- brain infection
Diagnosis
EEG
If the doctor suspects that your child is experiencing infantile spasms, the doctor will usually recommend an examination.electroencephalogram(EEG), which is easy to obtain and is usually useful in providing a proper diagnosis. If this test does not produce clear results, the doctor may perform a further test called a video EEG.
With this test, like a regular EEG, electrodes are placed on your baby’s skull to help the doctor visualize brain wave patterns. A video then records your baby’s behavior.
Who usually makes the diagnosisWest Syndromeis a doctor, usually a pediatric neurologist (a doctor who treats children who have problems with their nervous system). They will monitor your baby’s brain wave activity during and between seizures.
These tests usually take anywhere from one to several hours and can be done in a doctor’s office, a lab, or a hospital. They may also need to be repeated after a few days.
Some children with infantile spasms will have irregular brain wave activity. This is known as modified hypsarrhythmia, the report said.Healthline.
MRI
If your child has been diagnosed with infantile spasms, the doctor may also order other tests to see why the spasms are occurring. For example, an MRI.
MRIs can image their brains and show abnormalities in their structures. Genetic testing can pinpoint the genetic reasons contributing to their seizures.
It is important for you to seek medical help immediately if you think your child is having a seizure.West Syndrome. This disorder can have very serious developmental consequences, especially if left untreated. Your child has the best chance of limiting these negative effects with early treatment.
Urine Test & Blood Test
WebMDAlso write, urine tests, blood tests, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests can also help find the cause. This may include gene testing.
West Syndrome Treatment
With Medicines
The most common treatment forWest Syndromeare drugs. As quotedWebMD, your doctor may recommend:
- ACTH, hormone
- Vigabatrin (Sabril), an anti-seizure medication
- Steroids such as prednisone
- Vitamin B6, if the syndrome is caused by a vitamin B deficiency
About two-thirds of babies who take ACTH or vigabatrin have fewer or less intense seizures. It may take a day or two for these treatments to work.
Medications such as ACTH, vigabatrin, and steroids can have side effects so you and your doctor must balance the good and the bad for your child.
Ketogenic Diet
Your baby’s doctor may suggest a ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which includes a variety of foods in your baby’s daily diet.Parentswill work with a nutrition specialist.
The ketogenic diet can have side effects, such as kidney stones, dehydration , and constipation. You and your doctor will need to monitor your little one closely.
Operation
If a brain scan shows lesions on your baby’s brain, they may need surgery. Your doctor may suggestcorpus callosotomy, which is sometimes called split brain surgery.
If your child has developmental delays, other types of therapy and support may be helpful. This may include occupational therapy and postural support.
Possible Complications
Healthlineexplains, babies with infantile spasms often have mental and developmental problems. In a study published in the Annals of the Indian Academy Neurology , at 3 years after receiving their diagnosis, only 11.3 percent of the children studied were seizure-free and neurotypically developed. Many had problems with:
- Vision
- Communication
- Hearing
- Writing skills
- Fine and gross motor development
Additionally, 74 percent of the children in the study showed some autism spectrum traits .
However, some children will not experience complications. Researchers also note that when there are no known health factors that cause the seizures and the diagnosis, 30 to 70 percent of children with the disorder will have neurotypical development.
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These are the things that are bestParentsunderstand aboutWest Syndrome. It is important to note that some people with this condition can live healthy lives. Especially if the brain disorder causing the seizures is treated and managed.
Some children withWest Syndromemay have difficulties. Early diagnosis and starting treatment as early as possible is important for the child’s further development.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
