Some seizures in babies do not look like the dramatic shaking or convulsions most people associate with epilepsy. Infantile spasms can be subtle and fleeting. A baby may suddenly flex forward at the waist, stiffen their body, fling their arms outward or repeatedly bob their head downward. These brief movements typically occur in clusters, lasting only one to two seconds each, and frequently happen as the baby is waking up or falling asleep.
Because each movement is so brief, families and caregivers sometimes mistake them for normal startle reflexes, colic, acid reflux or behavioural twitches.
Why Early Recognition Is Crucial
Infantile spasms (traditionally associated with West syndrome alongside a characteristic EEG pattern known as hypsarrhythmia) represent a serious childhood epileptic encephalopathy. If left untreated, infants may stop progressing developmentally or lose acquired milestones such as visual tracking, smiling or rolling. Suspected infantile spasms require urgent paediatric neurology assessment and EEG investigation.
What Parents Should Do
- Take a clear, steady video of the cluster of movements on your phone with the baby in good lighting.
- Do not wait days to see if the movements resolve spontaneously.
- Contact a paediatric neurologist or emergency pediatric hospital desk immediately for EEG evaluation.
Complementary Care Must Not Replace Neurological Care
Standard neurological evaluation and first-line medical therapies are essential. Complementary, integrative or developmental rehabilitation therapies should only operate alongside and support established neurological medical management.
Urgent Guidance
Suspected infantile spasms should be treated as an urgent medical priority. Seek paediatric neurological assessment promptly.
