Genetic Causes of Infantile Spasms in Young Children
⚠️ Infant dosing/safety: medication and diet decisions for infants require individualized medical guidance.
Source: Journal of child neurology
Summary
This study looked at the genetic causes of infantile spasms in children under two years old in Peru. Researchers gathered information from six pediatric neurology centers and examined the medical records of 55 children diagnosed with this condition. The average age when these children were diagnosed was about six months, and most of them were boys from Lima.
The findings showed that a significant number of the cases had genetic causes, particularly related to structural issues in the brain. Tuberous sclerosis was the most common genetic condition identified. Many of the children also experienced severe developmental delays, and a majority showed a specific brain wave pattern called hypsarrhythmia. While some children responded well to treatment, more than half went on to develop other types of epilepsy.
Understanding the genetic factors behind infantile spasms is important because it can help doctors provide better treatment and improve outcomes for these children. However, the study was limited to a specific region and group of children, so the results may not apply to all children with this condition. More research is needed to explore these genetic causes further and to see how they affect treatment options.
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