Spasmus NutansSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Spasmus Nutans
Spasmus nutans is a disorder affecting infants and young children. It involves rapid, uncontrolled eye movements, head bobbing, and sometimes, holding the neck in an abnormal position.
Most cases of spasmus nutans begin between age 6 months and 1 year. It usually lasts about 2 years but can go on as long as 5 years.
The cause is unknown, although it may be associated with other medical conditions. A link with iron or vitamin D deficiency has been suggested. In very rare cases, symptoms similar to spasmus nutans may be due to certain types of brain tumors or other serious conditions.
Symptoms of spasmus nutans include:
- Small, quick, side-to-side eye movements called nystagmus (both eyes are involved, but each eye may move differently)
- Head nodding
- Head tilting
Spasmus nutans that isn't related to another medical problem, such as brain tumor, requires no treatment. If the symptoms are caused by another condition, your provider will recommend appropriate treatment.
Montefiore Medical Center
Aristea Galanopoulou is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Bronx, New York. Dr. Galanopoulou is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses West Syndrome, Spasmus Nutans, Post-Traumatic Epilepsy, and Epilepsy. Dr. Galanopoulou is currently accepting new patients.
The Children's Hospital At Montefiore
Solomon Moshe is a Pediatric Neurologist practicing medicine in Bronx, New York. Dr. Moshe is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses West Syndrome, Spasmus Nutans, Epilepsy, and Seizures. Dr. Moshe is currently accepting new patients.
Osf Multi-Specialty Group
John Millichap is a Pediatric Neurologist practicing medicine in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Millichap is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses West Syndrome, Spasmus Nutans, Epilepsy in Children, and Epilepsy. Dr. Millichap is board certified in Epilepsy, American Board Of Psychiatry & Neurology. Dr. Millichap is currently accepting new patients.
Usually, this disorder goes away on its own within 1 to 2 years without treatment. Some children have residual eye symptoms that need follow-up care.
Contact your child's provider if your child has rapid, movements of the eyes, or head nodding. Your provider will need to perform an exam to check for other possible causes for the symptoms.
Summary: The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy for epilepsy that is used nearly predominantly for refractory epilepsy (after 2-3 drugs have been tried and failed). However, there is both published evidence for first-line use (infantile spasms, Glut1 deficiency syndrome) and also anecdotal experience (families choosing to change the child's (or the family' own) diet rather than use anticonvulsant medicati...
Summary: This is a phase II clinical trial in which children with refractory infantile spasms (also called epileptic spasms or West syndrome) will be treated with fenfluramine, to evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Patients with infantile spasms that have not responded to treatment with vigabatrin and ACTH we will be invited to participate. Study participants will undergo baseline video-EEG, rece...
Published Date: April 16, 2025
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Hertle RW, Hanna NN. Supranuclear eye movement disorders, acquired and neurologic nystagmus. In: Lyons CJ, Lambert SR, eds. Taylor and Hoyt's Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 91.
Mikati MA, Obeld MM. Conditions that mimic seizures. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 634.
Rucker JC, Lavin PJM. Neuro-ophthalmology: ocular motor system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley's and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.