Question
A baby was diagnosed with infantile spasms at 1 year old and has been receiving Diphenhydramine syrup treatment for over a month. The symptoms have improved, but there are still 1 to 2 attacks daily, each lasting about 3 minutes. During the attacks, there is no upward eye rolling, and the main manifestation is continuous nodding. How should one handle these persistent attacks?
Answer
Infantile spasms are a type of epilepsy symptom that occurs during infancy, affecting approximately one in every 3,000 to 4,000 infants. Most patients develop the condition within their first year of life, with a few possibly occurring within the first few days after birth. The seizures of infantile spasms are very distinctive, typically characterized by sudden and rapid whole-body twitching. It is recommended that patients follow their doctor’s instructions for treatment, as this condition carries certain risks.