Don’t overlook the warning signs if you don’t want your child to suffer from severe illness before detection.
What You Need to Know About West Syndrome
Recently, West Syndrome has been widely discussed on social media. On platforms like TikTok and Facebook, many families have unintentionally discovered that their children are affected by West Syndrome. This type of epilepsy causes children to develop more slowly.
In light of this issue, many parents of young children are feeling quite anxious. Dr. Truong Huu Khanh (Former Head of the Infectious Diseases – Neurology Department at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City) has also issued a warning that this is a difficult condition to detect; only a medical examination will clarify the situation, and treatment takes a considerable amount of time. So, is there a way to prevent it? Are there identifiable signs of West Syndrome?…
West Syndrome
According to WebMD, West Syndrome is a type of epilepsy that affects infants. The disease is named after the doctor who discovered it. Additionally, experts have various alternative names for it, such as infantile spasms, X-linked infantile spasms syndrome, etc.
West Syndrome is a type of epilepsy that affects infants.
Symptoms of West Syndrome
West Syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as sudden bending seizures, which can easily be mistaken for startle reflexes. In some children, the back may arch, and their limbs may extend straight. These seizures last only a few seconds but occur in clusters, referred to as seizure clusters.
Many children can experience up to 150 seizures within one seizure cluster. Some infants may have 60 seizures a day if they have this syndrome. However, initially, these symptoms can be quite sporadic and do not occur in clusters.
Additionally, children with West Syndrome often exhibit other accompanying symptoms such as:
- Irritability.
- Poor appetite.
- Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping more during the day and less at night.
- Delayed mental and motor development.
- Lack of engagement with their surroundings, speaking less, smiling less, and displaying a blank expression that does not respond to external stimuli.
They may also lose previously acquired skills, such as holding their head up, sitting, crawling, or smiling.
How Dangerous is West Syndrome?
Experts agree that if West Syndrome is not well managed, it can significantly impact a child’s long-term physical and intellectual development. If a child suffers from infantile spasms related to underlying brain disorders or damage, they are more likely to experience developmental delays. Skills such as sitting, crawling, and walking may also be lost.
Children are also at an increased risk of cognitive and intellectual impairment, making it difficult for them in their future learning and working endeavors.
Moreover, the longer West Syndrome is left untreated, the more likely it is to progress into other forms of epilepsy as the child grows older, with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome being the most common, or it may increase the likelihood of autism.
At What Age Does West Syndrome Typically Occur?
Dr. Truong Huu Khanh confirms that West Syndrome is very rare, so parents need not worry excessively. The condition is most common in children under 1 year old, with an incidence rate of 6 in 10,000 children. The syndrome typically begins between the ages of 3 and 8 months.
Furthermore, boys are more likely to be affected than girls. Statistical studies show that the rate of boys with the condition accounts for about 60% of all cases.
West Syndrome is very rare, so parents need not worry excessively.
Who is at Higher Risk for West Syndrome?
Any brain damage, including causes from before or after birth, can put a child at a higher risk of developing West Syndrome. Brain damage can include structural damage in one or more areas, infections, brain hypoxia, or chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. Additionally, rarer metabolic disorders like vitamin B6 deficiency or diabetes may also pose a risk. Specifically, the following groups are at higher risk:
- Congenital brain defects.
- Children who experienced asphyxia during birth.
- Neonatal infections, especially those requiring treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- Chromosomal disorders.
- Family history of West Syndrome or other neurological disorders like epilepsy.
Can West Syndrome be Prevented?
Dr. Truong Huu Khanh shares that there is currently no way to prevent West Syndrome. According to the expert, if you notice any suspicious symptoms in your child, it is best to seek medical evaluation early. A definitive diagnosis can only be made through an EEG conducted at the hospital.
Early detection allows for timely treatment, helping your child return to a normal life sooner. Since West Syndrome is known to require prolonged treatment, the sooner intervention occurs, the better.
