An epileptic syndrome characterized by the triad of infantile spasms, hypsarrhythmia, and arrest of psychomotor development at seizure onset. The majority present between 3-12 months of age, with spasms consisting of combinations of brief flexor or extensor movements of the head, trunk, and limbs. The condition is divided into two forms: cryptogenic (idiopathic) and symptomatic (secondary to a known disease process such as intrauterine infections; nervous system abnormalities; BRAIN DISEASES, METABOLIC, INBORN; prematurity; perinatal asphyxia; TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS; etc.). (From Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, pp744-8)

Annotation

epileptic seizures only: do not confuse with SPASM + INFANT for non-epileptic seizures in infants

DUI

D013036 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0020204

Previous indexing

Epilepsy (1966-1976); Myoclonus (1966-1976); Convulsions (1966-1976); Infant, Newborn (1966-1976); Child, Preschool (1966-1976); Epilepsy, Petit Mal (1966-1976); Infant (1966-1976)

History note

1977(1963)

Public note

1977; see HYPSARRHYTHMIA 1963-76