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. IS is not common.

How common are infantile spasms?

What are infantile spasms? Infantile spasms, first described with a group of symptoms known as West syndrome, is a form of epilepsy ​that occurs in 1 in 2,000 children.

Are infantile spasms serious?

Infantile spasms is a complex and rare disorder that can have very serious consequences. It can lead to death in some babies, and cause intellectual disabilities and developmental problems in others. Even once the seizures are gone, the damaging brain effects can remain.