Oliver was diagnosed with late-onset Infantile Spasms in November of 2010. He was almost 2 years old. Thankfully, we were already seeing a neurologist (for Oliver's Tuberous Sclerosis treatment) when they first appeared. Oliver's case is unusual, in that his onset was very late. In fact, we thought we had escaped this catastrophic form of childhood epilepsy. We did not.
Many children aren't diagnosed for months or years. As you will see in the video, this type of seizure is easy to rationalize or even miss. The outcome of delaying treatment is often devastating. Please take a moment educate yourself on Infantile Spasms. Thank you! Thank you!
Outcome for Children with Infantile Spasms
“The prognosis for children with infantile spasms is directly related to the cause. Infants with an known cause for their spasms have a better prognosis than those with an unknown cause for their spasms. Infants with no signs of neurological abnormality or developmental delay before the onset of spasms also have better outcomes. Those whose seizures come under control quickly or cease early tend to fair better as well.
Infantile spasms rarely continue beyond age 5, but are sometimes replaced by other seizure types. A significant number of infants with this syndrome have long-term cognitive and learning impairment. Some may have a behavior disorder accompanied by autistic symptoms. These impairments are likely due to the same brain injury that causes the seizures.
The presence of other seizures types with the spasms may also suggest a poor outcome. In the most severe cases, seizures will continue and the condition may evolve to the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.”
Click here for full article: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/infantilespasms.cfm
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