Epileptic spasm
A sudden flexion, extension, or mixed extension-flexion of predominantly proximal and truncal muscles that is usually more sustained than a myoclonic movement but not as sustained as a tonic seizure. Limited forms may occur: Grimacing, head nodding, or subtle eye movements. Epileptic spasms frequently occur in clusters. Infantile spasms are the best known form, but spasms can occur at all ages
Also called: Epileptic spasms, Salaam convulsion, Salaam convulsions, Salaam seizure, Salaam seizures, West syndrome.
Conditions associated with epileptic spasm
The following conditions have been associated with epileptic spasm in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile/juvenile form
3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile/juvenile form is a medical condition that may be associ...
DPAGT1-CDG
DPAGT1-CDG is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Dursun-Ozgul neurodevelopmental syndrome
Dursun-Ozgul neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...
Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures
Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures is a medical condition that may be associated with various s...
Hemimegalencephaly
Hemimegalencephaly is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Isolated focal cortical dysplasia
Isolated focal cortical dysplasia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...
Karayol-Borroto-Haghshenas neurodevelopmental syndrome
Karayol-Borroto-Haghshenas neurodevelopmental syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with vari...
Kleefstra syndrome due to 9q34 microdeletion
Kleefstra syndrome due to 9q34 microdeletion is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympto...
Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism types I and III
Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism types I and III is a medical condition that may be associate...
PURA-related severe neonatal hypotonia-seizures-encephalopathy syndrome
PURA-related severe neonatal hypotonia-seizures-encephalopathy syndrome is a medical condition that may be ass...
Pyridoxine-dependent-developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Pyridoxine-dependent-developmental and epileptic encephalopathy is a medical condition that may be associated ...
Rasmussen subacute encephalitis
Rasmussen subacute encephalitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
STXBP1-related encephalopathy
STXBP1-related encephalopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Tuberous sclerosis complex
Tuberous sclerosis complex is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
chromosome 1p36 deletion syndrome
A chromosomal anomaly characterized by distinctive facial dysmorphic features, hypotonia, developmental delay,...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 103
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 103 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 104
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 104 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 118
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 118 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 119
A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy caused by the variants in the RNU2-2 gene, in which most reported...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 120 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 6B
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 6B is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympt...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 91
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 91 is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympt...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 99
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 99 is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympt...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 13
Any early infantile epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SCN8A gene...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 28
Any early infantile epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the WWOX gene....
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 31A
Any developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a heterozygous mutation in...
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 51
Any early infantile epileptic encephalopathy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the MDH2 gene....
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 63
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 63 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
early-onset progressive diffuse brain atrophy-microcephaly-muscle weakness-optic atrophy syndrome
early-onset progressive diffuse brain atrophy-microcephaly-muscle weakness-optic atrophy syndrome is a medical...
neurodevelopmental disorder with hyperkinetic movements, seizures, and structural brain abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with hyperkinetic movements, seizures, and structural brain abnormalities is a med...
neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia and speech delay, with or without seizures
neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia and speech delay, with or without seizures is a medical condition t...
neurodevelopmental disorder with impaired language and ataxia and with or without seizures
neurodevelopmental disorder with impaired language and ataxia and with or without seizures is a medical condit...
neurodevelopmental disorder with parkinsonism or other movement abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with parkinsonism or other movement abnormalities is a medical condition that may ...
neurodevelopmental disorder with poor growth, seizures, and brain abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with poor growth, seizures, and brain abnormalities is a medical condition that ma...
neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and nonepileptic hyperkinetic movements
neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures and nonepileptic hyperkinetic movements is a medical condition that ...
neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures, microcephaly, and brain abnormalities
neurodevelopmental disorder with seizures, microcephaly, and brain abnormalities is a medical condition that m...
Tests providers may use to investigate epileptic spasm
When investigating epileptic spasm, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside epileptic spasm
Constipation
Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces....
Depression
Frequently experiencing feelings of being down, miserable, and/or hopeless; struggling to recover from these m...
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if epileptic spasm is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom epileptic spasm mean?
Epileptic spasm is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. A sudden flexion, extension, or mixed extension-flexion of predominantly proximal and truncal muscles that is usually more sustained than a myoclonic movement but not as sustained as a tonic seizure. Limited forms may occur: Grimacing, head nodding, or subtle eye movements. Epileptic spasms frequently occur in clusters. Infantile spasms are the best known form, but spasms can occur at all ages
Which conditions are associated with epileptic spasm?
Epileptic spasm has been reported in association with 37 conditions in the medical literature we index, including 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency, infantile/juvenile form, DPAGT1-CDG, Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122, Dursun-Ozgul neurodevelopmental syndrome, Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about epileptic spasm?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.