West syndrome treatment and diagnostics abroad

West syndrome (infantile spasms) is an infantile-onset epilepsy syndrome; suspected spasms need urgent assessment even beyond the first year. It needs urgent treatment: the sooner the seizures are stopped, the better the chances of the child's normal development.

Below are clinics abroad with pediatric epilepsy centres: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices.

How West syndrome shows

• clusters of brief spasms — sudden bending of the body, head nodding, flinging the arms out or in, often after waking;
• delay or loss of skills already learned — the baby stops smiling or following with the eyes;
• a typical EEG pattern — hypsarrhythmia.

The condition usually starts between 3 and 12 months of age. Spasms are often mistaken for colic or reflexes. If you suspect them, seek urgent local paediatric assessment without delay. A video may help if it can be recorded safely, but recording must not delay care.

Causes

West syndrome can result from brain injury before or during birth, brain malformations, tuberous sclerosis, genetic and metabolic disorders; in some cases no cause is found.

Diagnosis

• EEG — ideally video-EEG including sleep;
• brain MRI — to look for a structural cause;
• genetic and metabolic testing;
• eye and skin examination — for signs of tuberous sclerosis.

Treatment

• Hormonal therapy (ACTH or corticosteroids) and vigabatrin — the first line; vigabatrin is especially effective in tuberous sclerosis.
• Other antiseizure medicines and the ketogenic diet — if first-line treatment fails.
• Epilepsy surgery — when the cause is a localized brain lesion.
• Early rehabilitation — therapy to support motor and speech development.

See clinics in the neurology and pediatric neurosurgery sections; general information is on the epilepsy page.

Suspected infantile spasms need urgent local paediatric assessment with rapid specialist referral, a sleep EEG and prompt treatment. Do not wait for EEG or MRI reports, an online reply or travel abroad. Once urgent local care is under way, you can use the Send a request link and attach available reports to discuss further care.