West Syndrome: Diagnosing Seizure Disorder in Infancy

Epilepsy is a unique health complication among adults and children and often can begin to become a health concern early in childhood. For many young children, the diagnosis of epilepsy doesn't come until age two or three but, in some cases, may be diagnosed earlier in life. If your child has developed seizures in the first six months of life, it is important to become familiar with West syndrome - a rare seizure disorder among infants.

While seizure complications in infants can be attributed to an allergic reaction to the environment or to an illness, most infants who have seizures at such a young age are experiencing complications with a more multi-dimensional health complication. Only until evaluated by a neurologist are most infants properly diagnosed and, in rare cases, the condition may be associated with West syndrome.

The underlying cause and origin of West syndrome is not yet know but is believed to be cause by an abnormal development of neurotransmitters during pregnancy. Just like the question of a sports injury causing scoliosis, it is not known if labor and delivery causes West syndrome. When an infant is born with this health complication there are often few health issues that are identified in the days and weeks after birth. It is only when a child reaches three to six months of age, and when seizures begin to manifest, that investigation into West syndrome begins.

If your child is diagnosed with West syndrome, not only will there be issues associated with seizure disorder but children with this condition also suffer from mental retardation. It is the mental retardation, even accompanied with minor Down's syndrome symptoms, which can be debilitating through the normal course of your child's life. But, with proper medications, diet, and the right special education and rehabilitation services, your child can live a relatively full life.

West syndrome is typically not the first diagnosis given when a child presents with seizure complications in the first year of life. However, if you see that your child has other abnormal growth and development characteristics, this could be an early warning sign that West syndrome is the underlying cause. Seek out pediatric medical testing and treatment as soon as seizures begin.

Sources: Progress in Epileptic Spasms and West Syndrome, by Franco Guzetta