title: Infantile spasms: little seizures, BIG consequences.
abstract: Infantile spasms is one of the "catastrophic childhood epilepsies" because of the difficulty in controlling seizures and the association with mental retardation. However, early recognition, a careful diagnostic evaluation, and proper treatment may allow some children to attain seizure control and to achieve a normal, or at least much improved, level of development. Thus, there is the opportunity to have an important impact in the lives of these unfortunate children and their families.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: W Donald
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Shields