Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Verywell / JR Bee
West syndrome most commonly begins in babies 4 to 8 months of age.
Symptoms of West syndrome include:
Other symptoms may be present because of the underlying disorder causing West syndrome. Other neurological disorders, such ascerebral palsyandautism, may also be present.
Many children with West syndrome have long-term cognitive and learning impairments, most likely due to the underlying condition that caused the infantile spasms.
Almost any condition that can cause brain damage can cause West syndrome. Sometimes a cause is suspected but can’t be confirmed; in this case, the condition is called cryptogenic West syndrome.
Other than a slight pain from a blood draw, your child shouldn’t be in pain or distress due to these tests.
The most common drugs used to treat West syndrome are:
If medications aren’t effective enough, and especially in cases involving malformation or tuberous sclerosis complex, healthcare providers may recommend surgical removal of damaged brain tissue. This type of surgery is performed commonly for several types of epilepsy and generally has good outcomes.
In a2015 study of long-term outcomes, two-thirds of children with West syndrome went on to have what was considered an acceptable quality of life. Children who developed normally before having infantile spasms and don’t have an obvious underlying cause (such as brain damage or neurological illness) have the best outcomes.
Research shows that the most important thing you can do for your child is to get a quick diagnosis, start treatment, and be dedicated to the treatment regimen.
Dealing with a serious illness in a child can be difficult on many levels. You will need to make adjustments to your daily life, manage financial implications of care, and navigate your own feelings about the situation. Remember that the best thing for your child is a caretaker who is at his or her best. These coping strategies can help.
Emotional Challenges
Your child will need special care, which can be daunting and physically exhausting. You’ll likely deal with a complicated mix of emotions including fear, anger, grief, and guilt—even if you couldn’t have done anything to prevent your child’s condition.
This is all a normal. Educate yourself about your child’s condition so you can make good decisions on their behalf, which can boost your confidence.
A support group, where you can learn from (and lean on) other parents, can be a huge help as well. Because West syndrome is rare, you may need to look online or join a local group that focuses on a broader topic, such as epilepsy or neurological illnesses.
Some organization may have resources to help you, including:
You may also benefit from seeing a mental health counselor who, at the very least, can provide you with a safe space to discuss how you’re feeling and develop personal coping strategies.
You, as a caregiver, need to ensure that you have breaks and can practice self-care. Enlist the help of family and friends, and look into options such as having a healthcare worker come to your home.
Social Challenges
It may become difficult to go on family outings because many settings aren’t safe for your child, or because of strictly scheduled treatment regimens. Your child may be safest in a stroller, and that may limit the places it’s easy for you to go. Some medications may have side effects such as sensitivity to heat, making a controlled environment much more desirable than being outside.
Instead of trying to make your normal routine fit your child’s needs, you will likely have to make some adjustments to your lifestyle that put those needs front and center.
If you miss out on some gatherings because of the above issues, for example, plan some alternatives that work for you and your child. While this make take time to get used to, it can help you sidestep unnecessary challenges and stay connected to your loved ones.
Financial Issues
If you need help paying for medications, check the drug company’s website; many of them have programs that can help. Check with social services agencies about Medicaid or other state insurance options.
A Word From Verywell
You, of course, want to give your child the best life possible. That can still happen—it just might not look like you expected. Learn about your child’s needs, advocate for their care, and simply love them. While you will all face challenges and tough times, these three things will help ensure that your child is living as full of a life as possible with West syndrome.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pavone P, Striano P, Falsaperla R, Pavone L, Ruggieri M.Infantile spasms syndrome, West syndrome and related phenotypes: what we know in 2013.Brain Dev.2014;36(9):739-51. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2013.10.008D’alonzo R, Rigante D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.West Syndrome: A Review and Guide for Paediatricians.Clin Drug Investig.2018;38(2):113-124. doi:10.1007/s40261-017-0595-zNational Organization for Rare Disorders.West Syndrome.Güveli BT, Çokar Ö, Dörtcan N, Benbir G, Demirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure.2015;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What Parents of Children with Epilepsy Can Do.Additional ReadingGuveli BT, Cokar O, Cortcan N, Benbir G, Bemirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure. 2015 Feb;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2019.NINDS Infantile Spasms Information Page.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pavone P, Striano P, Falsaperla R, Pavone L, Ruggieri M.Infantile spasms syndrome, West syndrome and related phenotypes: what we know in 2013.Brain Dev.2014;36(9):739-51. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2013.10.008D’alonzo R, Rigante D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.West Syndrome: A Review and Guide for Paediatricians.Clin Drug Investig.2018;38(2):113-124. doi:10.1007/s40261-017-0595-zNational Organization for Rare Disorders.West Syndrome.Güveli BT, Çokar Ö, Dörtcan N, Benbir G, Demirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure.2015;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What Parents of Children with Epilepsy Can Do.Additional ReadingGuveli BT, Cokar O, Cortcan N, Benbir G, Bemirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure. 2015 Feb;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2019.NINDS Infantile Spasms Information Page.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pavone P, Striano P, Falsaperla R, Pavone L, Ruggieri M.Infantile spasms syndrome, West syndrome and related phenotypes: what we know in 2013.Brain Dev.2014;36(9):739-51. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2013.10.008D’alonzo R, Rigante D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.West Syndrome: A Review and Guide for Paediatricians.Clin Drug Investig.2018;38(2):113-124. doi:10.1007/s40261-017-0595-zNational Organization for Rare Disorders.West Syndrome.Güveli BT, Çokar Ö, Dörtcan N, Benbir G, Demirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure.2015;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What Parents of Children with Epilepsy Can Do.
Pavone P, Striano P, Falsaperla R, Pavone L, Ruggieri M.Infantile spasms syndrome, West syndrome and related phenotypes: what we know in 2013.Brain Dev.2014;36(9):739-51. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2013.10.008
D’alonzo R, Rigante D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.West Syndrome: A Review and Guide for Paediatricians.Clin Drug Investig.2018;38(2):113-124. doi:10.1007/s40261-017-0595-z
National Organization for Rare Disorders.West Syndrome.
Güveli BT, Çokar Ö, Dörtcan N, Benbir G, Demirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure.2015;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What Parents of Children with Epilepsy Can Do.
Guveli BT, Cokar O, Cortcan N, Benbir G, Bemirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure. 2015 Feb;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2019.NINDS Infantile Spasms Information Page.
Guveli BT, Cokar O, Cortcan N, Benbir G, Bemirbilek V, Dervent A.Long-term outcomes in patients with West syndrome: an outpatient clinical study.Seizure. 2015 Feb;25:68-71. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.01.001
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2019.NINDS Infantile Spasms Information Page.
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