Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Infantile spasms: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatricians in Turkey
Deniz Yılmaz1, Özlem Yayıcı Köken1, Esra Gürkaş1
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's' Hospital, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Pediatricians show varying knowledge of Infantile Spasms Syndrome (ISS), a severe epilepsy. Enhancing medical education and public awareness is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Infantile Spasms Syndrome (ISS) includes West Syndrome (WS) and other infantile epileptic spasms.
- WS is characterized by epileptic spasms, developmental stagnation/regression, and hypsarrhythmia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Turkish pediatricians' and residents' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding ISS.
- To identify gaps in understanding and inform educational strategies for ISS diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing a 45-question KAP survey.
- Survey administered to pediatricians and residents across Turkey.
Main Results:
- Most participants (91.4%) recognized ISS as epilepsy.
- Structural abnormalities and genetic disorders were the most cited etiologies.
- Infantile colic and GERD were common misdiagnoses; EEG and referral to pediatric neurologists were widely agreed upon.
- Steroids were considered first-line treatment by half.
Conclusions:
- Medical education is vital for improving ISS diagnostic awareness.
- Public awareness campaigns combined with education can facilitate rapid diagnosis.
- Tailored educational strategies are needed, considering socio-cultural contexts.
Background:
Infantile Spasms Syndrome (ISS) encompasses both West syndrome (WS), comprising epileptic spasms, psychomotor stagnation or regression and hypsarrhythmia, and also infants presenting with epileptic spasms who do not fulfill the triad of WS.
Objective:
To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding ISS among Turkish pediatricians and pediatric residents.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatricians and pediatric residents from all regions of Turkey. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about ISS were assessed using a questionnaire including 45 questions.
Results:
Out of 174 participants, 91.4% of respondents thought that ISS was a type of epilepsy. The two most recognized etiologic causes were structural abnormalities (90.8%) and genetic disorders (90.2%). Infantile colic (78.7%) and gastroesophageal reflux (75.9%) were reported to be the most common confusing diagnoses in this study. Almost all the respondents agreed that EEG recordings should be obtained for a patient with suspected ISS. Half of the participants stated that steroids were the first choice for treatment. Nearly all participants agreed on referring a pediatric patient with suspected ISS to a pediatric neurologist.
Conclusion:
Our findings highlight the importance of medical education as awareness is critical for diagnosing ISS. To facilitate rapid diagnosis, it is also important to combine medical education with public action. To ensure a sufficient level of knowledge about epileptic spasms and ISS, a strategy based on the socio-cultural characteristics of each population should be developed.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:29Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also...
01:31Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:28Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...