What is the Difference Between Infantile Spasms and Startle Reflex

The key difference between infantile spasms and startle reflex is that infantile spasms are a form of epilepsy that occurs in babies, typically in those under 12 months old, while startle reflex is an automatic or involuntary reflex in newborns and infants that usually develops between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and disappears at 3–6 months of age.

Infantile spasms and startle reflex are two movements in babies and infants. Infantile spasms are a condition that needs immediate medical attention. On the other hand, startle reflex is a normal or simple reflex in babies.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Infantile Spasms
3. What is Startle Reflex
4. Similarities – Infantile Spasms and Startle Reflex
5. Infantile Spasms vs Startle Reflex in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Infantile Spasms vs Startle Reflex

What are Infantile Spasms?

Infantile spasms are also called epileptic spasms. They are a form of epilepsy that happens to babies who are under 12 months old. They are neurological disorders characterized by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain due to brain injuries or infections, issues with brain development, gene mutations, and metabolic conditions. Infantile spasms affect approximately 1 in 2,000 to 4,000 babies. The signs and symptoms of this medical condition may include stiffening or tensing up suddenly for a couple of seconds, arching the back, arms, and legs, head bending forward, eyes rolling up, belly tensing up, chin movements, grimacing, head nodding, loss of developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting, crawling and babbling, loss of social interactions, smiling less, and increased fussiness or silence.

Infantile spasms can be diagnosed through physical examination, electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain scan, and genetic and metabolic tests. Furthermore, treatment options for infantile spasms may include giving adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), oral prednisolone, vigabatrin (anti-seizure medication), ketogenic diet, other anti-seizure medicines, and epilepsy surgery.

What is Startle Reflex?

The startle reflex is a simple autonomic or involuntary reflex in newborns and infants. It usually develops between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and disappears at 3–6 months of age. In startle reflex, babies suddenly fling their arms sideways with their hands flexed, throwing out their legs, extending their neck, and suddenly bringing their arms together and may begin to cry. Moeover, he startle reflex often occurs when a baby is startled by a loud sound or movement. Therefore, babies do this reflexively in response to being startled.

This condition can be detected through physical movement evaluation. Furthermore, there is no need for treatment as the startle reflex is a simple and normal reflex. However, if the startle reflex keeps babies from sleeping properly, mothers can keep the babies close to their bodies when laying them down or swaddling up the babies.

What are the Similarities Between Infantile Spasms and Startle Reflex?

Infantile spasms and startle reflex are two movements in babies and infants.
They are characterized by sudden jerk-like movements.
Both these can be diagnosed or detected through specific physical movements.
These conditions can be overcome in different ways, such as using medicines and other normal lifestyle changes.

What is the Difference Between Infantile Spasms and Startle Reflex?

Infantile spasms are a form of epilepsy that occurs in babies typically under 12 months old, while startle reflex is an automatic or involuntary reflex in newborns and infants that usually develops between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and disappears at 3–6 months of age. Thus, this is the key difference between infantile spasms and startle reflex. Furthermore, infantile spasms are an abnormal medical condition in babies, while the startle reflex is a simple and normal reflex in newborns and infants.

The below infographic presents the differences between infantile spasms and startle reflex in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Infantile Spasms vs Startle Reflex

Infantile spasms and startle reflex are two movements in babies and infants, characterized by sudden jerk-like movements. Infantile spasms are a medical condition that needs to be treated immediately. On the other hand, the startle reflex is a simple, autonomic (involuntarily) reflex in babies. Moreover, infantile spasms are a form of epilepsy that occurs in babies typically under 12 months old, while startle reflex is an automatic reflex in newborns and infants that usually develops between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and disappears at 3–6 months of age. So, this summarizes the difference between infantile spasms and startle reflex.