Infantile Spasms Awareness Week (ISAW)

 

Together We Can STOP IS!

Although awareness efforts are year-round, Infantile Spasms Awareness Week (ISAW) is held annually on December 1-7.

Infantile Spasms (IS) are a medical emergency. Infantile spasms are a rare, but very serious type of seizure. Infantile spasms are caused by a condition in a baby’s brain and include repetitive, but often subtle movements—such as jerking of the mid-section, dropping of the head, raising of the arms or wide-eyed blinks. IS can be misdiagnosed as colic, reflux, or a startle reflex.

During ISAW, the Infantile Spasms Action Network (ISAN) does a concentrated awareness effort centered around the STOP Infantile Spasms mnemonic. With the mnemonic as the centerpiece for awareness, we have reached over 195 million due to the collective efforts of ISAN.

 

ISAW mnemonic Facebook post 1 https://infantilespasms.org/raise-is-awareness/isaw/

See the signs: Clusters of sudden, repeated, uncontrolled movements like head bobs or body crunching.

Take a video: Record the symptoms and talk to your doctor immediately.

Obtain diagnosis: Confirm an irregular brain wave pattern with an EEG test.

Prioritize treatment: End spasms to minimize developmental delays

 

Every day you delay increases your child’s risk for brain damage.

 

Know the signs to ‘STOP’ Infantile Spasms. Identifying spasms is critical for parents, caregivers and providers.

We’re raising awareness about Infantile Spasms in hopes of a brighter future. Awareness leads to opportunity!

ISAN looks forward to more engaging awareness efforts this year! Help us spread the word! The messaging below can be shared on social media or in other partner communication networks. Please use this site ISweek.org and #ISAW2022.

 

Sign-up to Receive Additional Information