Progress in etiology, diagnosis and treatment of late onset epileptic spasms

Epileptic spasms (ES) as an independent form of seizure, exist not only in infantile spasms but also in other epilepsy syndromes.Most ES start within 1 year of age and may also develop after 1 year of age.The onset of ES after 1 year is referred to as late onset epileptic spasms (LOS). The etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of LOS are different from infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.Now, the progress in etiology, diagnosis and treatment of LOS were reviewed. Key words: Epileptic spasms, late onset; Child; Etiology; Diagnosis