Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 8, 2026

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Infantile spasms in children with Down syndrome

C E Stafstrom1, R J Konkol

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, New England Medical Center Hospital, Boston, MA 02111.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Children with Down syndrome experiencing infantile spasms show a better prognosis for seizure control compared to the general population. However, developmental outcomes are poorer for those with hypoxic insults or developmental regression.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Infantile spasms are a severe epilepsy syndrome in infants.
  • Down syndrome is associated with an increased risk of epilepsy.
  • The prognosis of infantile spasms in the general population is often poor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the etiology, EEG findings, treatment response, development, and prognosis of infantile spasms in children with Down syndrome.
  • To compare the outcomes of infantile spasms in children with Down syndrome to those in the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective identification of 17 children with Down syndrome and infantile spasms.
  • Analysis of etiological factors, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, medication response, developmental status, and long-term prognosis.

Main Results:

  • 16 survivors had a relatively benign outcome regarding seizure control, with only 3 still experiencing seizures and 7 on anticonvulsants.
  • Poorest developmental outcomes were observed in children with superimposed hypoxic insults or developmental regression.
  • Neurological prognosis for this group appears better than for infantile spasms in the general population.

Conclusions:

  • Infantile spasms in children with Down syndrome have a generally better seizure control prognosis than in the general population.
  • Developmental trajectory is significantly impacted by hypoxic insults and regression at spasm onset.
  • The neurological prognosis for children with Down syndrome and infantile spasms is relatively favorable.

More Related Videos

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Meiosis I03:20

Meiosis I

Meiosis is a carefully orchestrated set of cell divisions, the goal of which—in humans—is to produce haploid sperm or eggs, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in somatic cells elsewhere in the body. Meiosis I is the first such division, and involves several key steps, among them: condensation of replicated chromosomes in diploid cells; the pairing of homologous chromosomes and their exchange of information; and finally, the separation of homologous chromosomes by a...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
Tetanus01:29

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...