Does Infantile Spasm Usually Occur Upon Waking Up?

Question

Does infantile spasm usually occur upon waking up?

Answer

Infantile spasm is a unique epilepsy in infancy, usually occurring within the first year of life and characterized by sudden, rapid whole-body convulsions. These may be accompanied by actions such as bending, nodding, upward lifting of hands, and flexing of both lower limbs. Although some cases may occur upon waking, not all infantile spasms are like this. The causes of infantile spasm are complex; about 50% of cases have identifiable causes, including maternal infection during pregnancy, brain developmental anomalies, genetic metabolic diseases, difficulty breathing at birth, intracranial hemorrhage, birth injuries, and postnatal nervous system infections. Severe pain symptoms may also resemble the symptoms of infantile spasm and can occur at any time, not necessarily upon waking.