- seizure disorder occuring in infants and children <1 year of age
- mostly occur between ages 4-8 months
- classic spasm is sudden, simultaneous flexion of the head and trunk with felxion and adduction of the extremities (salaam attack Blitz-krampf)
- occurs in clusters of diminishing severity
- initiated or aggrevated by transition from sleep to wakefulness or emotions
- EEG demonstrates hypsarrhythmia: high-voltage, irregular, slow waves occuring out of synch with multiple foci
- most resolve over time without therapy, but most children have some level of mental retardation or other seizure disorder