Important Considerations for Infantile Spasms Awareness: Martina Bebin, MD, MPA

Infantile spasms are a rare but serious seizure disorder that affects about 1 in 2000 to 4000 babies. These spasms can occur from the first week of life to 4.5 years, but the average age of onset is 3 to 7 months. Infantile spasms, characterized by hypsarrhythmia on EEG and a strong association with developmental delay or regression, have recently been reclassified as infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) to include patients not meeting full West syndrome criteria.

Each year, during the first week of December, the global community comes together for Infantile Spasms Awareness Week. This week serves to educate the public, healthcare providers, and families about the signs, symptoms, and critical need for early diagnosis and intervention. The goal of the week is to highlight the importance of recognizing the condition early, as prompt treatment can significantly impact the child’s development and quality of life.

In efforts to continue to raise awareness, NeurologyLive^® sat down with epilepsy specialist Martina Bebin, MD, MPA, to discuss aspects of infantile spasms the general public and clinicians should be aware of. Bebin, a professor of neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center, harped on the importance of early recognition, as well as the role of parents in trusting their instincts and seeking medical advice. In addition, she spoke about how clinicians and parents should be able to use available resources, such as videos and reliable websites, to better understand what infantile spasms may look like. Furthermore, she answered questions around detection, including prenatal imaging and genetic testing, as well as ways to optimize the future of treatment for the condition.