Infantile spasms as a cause of acquired perinatal visual loss

Background. Visual abnormalities have been described in patients with infantile spasms (IS), an epileptic syndrome of early childhood. Methods: We report on 3 children who exhibited cortically mediated visual regression in association with the development of IS. Results: In 1 patient, loss of visual behavior was the presenting complaint. In all patients, visual behavior improved with treatment of seizures. Conclusions: IS are a potentially treatable cause of cortically impaired vision in early childhood. Because visual behavior might improve when the seizures are treated, patients should be referred appropriately.