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Condition information

Infantile spasms (West syndrome)

Infantile spasms are a serious seizure type in babies and require urgent specialist assessment.

What families may notice

  • Brief repeated bending or stiffening movements
  • Clusters often around waking
  • Loss of smiles, interaction or developmental progress

How assessment may help

Safe phone video can help recognition, but it must not delay urgent care. EEG is central to assessment and treatment decisions are time-sensitive.

The child’s own pattern matters. Similar symptoms can have different causes, and tests are selected only after considering the history and examination.

What to bring

  • A referral letter and previous medical reports
  • A current medicine and dose list
  • EEG, MRI or CT reports and the actual images where available
  • School or therapy reports relevant to the concern
  • Safe phone videos of typical episodes, without delaying care or placing the child at risk

Planning the next step

Contact the practice for a non-urgent appointment request. Sudden, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should be assessed through an emergency service rather than an online form.

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