West syndrome is a type of epilepsy that is unique to infancy and childhood, also known as infantile spasms. Most of the seizures occur within one year of birth, more often in boys than in girls, and there is some genetic influence. The child’s head is bowed and the hands are held together towards the torso. Some severe cases are accompanied by generalized muscle spasms, growth retardation and decreased intelligence. The EEG typically shows high amplitude dysrhythmias, and some patients have fewer seizures with age. However, some patients can develop myoclonic epilepsy in adolescents as they grow older, and this type of epilepsy is more difficult to treat.