Recognize the signs. Act promptly.
Infantile Spasms
Brief, repeated movements in a baby can be easy to overlook. Suspected infantile spasms need urgent medical assessment—even when the baby seems well between episodes.
Do not wait for a routine appointment
Concerned about possible spasms?
Seek medical assessment immediately. Contact your child’s healthcare provider and clearly say you are concerned about infantile spasms. If immediate assessment cannot be arranged, go to an emergency department.
Call 911 if your baby has difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive, or has another emergency sign.
Do not wait to collect more episodes or a video before seeking care.
About this information
This webpage is subject to continuous review by Epilepsy Ontario to help keep the information current. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider about your own health and care.
What are infantile spasms?
Infantile spasms are epileptic seizures occurring in infancy. They may be part of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). You may also encounter the term West syndrome, which describes a particular combination of clinical and EEG features.
Each spasm may last only one or two seconds. Spasms often occur in clusters, with repeated movements separated by short pauses.
What families may notice
The movements can be obvious—or subtle.
Sudden bending or straightening
The head and body may bend forward, the arms may lift or extend, or the back may arch.
Small repeated changes
Some spasms look like repeated head nods, a small body crunch, or brief eye movements. They can be mistaken for ordinary baby movements.
Clusters often happen around waking. A baby may also show a slowing or loss of previously acquired skills or changes in interaction. These changes are important to report, but their absence does not rule out spasms.
Why prompt assessment matters
Infantile spasms can affect development. Early recognition and treatment are important, and care should not be delayed because each movement is brief.
Assessment usually involves an urgent EEG and specialist evaluation. The team may arrange further tests to understand the cause.
If you can safely record a video
A short video showing the baby’s face and body may help the clinician understand the movements.
Safety and seeking care come first. A video is helpful, not a requirement.
What to tell the clinician
Describe when the movements started, whether they repeat in clusters, and any changes in feeding, alertness, interaction, or developmental skills.
Treatment requires specialist care
Infantile spasms require a specific treatment approach, which may differ from treatment for other seizure types. The specialist team will explain the recommended treatment and how response will be checked.
Do not try home remedies or wait to see whether the baby grows out of the episodes.
Epileptic spasms can occur beyond infancy. In an older child or adult, similar movements also need assessment. The term “infantile spasms” refers to their occurrence during infancy.
