Dec. 1-7 marks Infantile Spasms Awareness Week. The observation serves to raise awareness about a rare but often misdiagnosed neurological disorder. Most pediatricians will encounter only one or two cases in their career. Appropriate treatment will lead to developmental recovery for the child.
About 2,500 children are identified annually with the age-specific epilepsy syndrome of early infancy. Symptoms include epileptic spasms accompanied by neurodevelopmental regression and an electroencephalogram finding of hypsarrhythmia.
The Academy is working with the Child Neurology Society, Child Neurology Foundation, American College of Emergency Physicians and other partners to build advocacy, identify awareness gaps and expand outreach opportunities.
To learn more about the disorder, access the AAP Pediatric Care Online webinar at http://pediatriccare.solutions.aap.org/, and watch for an upcoming short course on Pedialink.org on screening at-risk patients, treatment and referral.
The AAP-endorsed guideline on medical treatment of infantile spasms from the Neurology Society is available at http://bit.ly/2dVFOvG.
Follow #ISAW2016 on Twitter and share information to raise awareness.
