Abstract: Introduction: The distinction between epileptic and non-epileptic events poses a great challenge to the treating clinician. One amongst these non- epileptic events is the atonic head drop in early infancy that is easily confused and wrongly misdiagnosed as epileptic spasms. With very limited literature regarding this entity, we aim to describe a case-series of three infants with sudden repeated episodes of head drops. Materials and methods: We describe the case series of three infants who presented to OPD with the complaints of sudden head drops. Results: Three unrelated cases presented to us with similar episodes of sudden head drops with onset in last 1month. However, none of them had any risk factor for seizures. They all had smooth perinatal history with normal development and non-significant family history. There was no faltering of development. All initially had multiple episodes per day which later reduced without any therapeutic intervention. The electroencephalography revealed normal records with no ictal correlate of the head drops. On follow up, all showed spontaneous remission. Conclusion: Atonic head drops is a benign entity that closely resembles the severe west syndrome. These episodes have an onset in the 2nd half of infancy. These clustered appearing events , don’t cause any developmental delay and have an excellent outcome. Their recognition is important so as to prognosticate the parents regarding its self-limited course with normal development and at the same time to prevent expensive and exorbitant expenditure associated with costly and complex investigations to look for etiology of these episodes.

Lokesh Saini
AIIMS Jodhpur
India

Ashna Kumar
AIIMS Jodhpur
India

Monika Chhajed
Chaitanya Hospital
India

Kuldeep Singh
AIIMS Jodhpur
India