What Infantile Spasms Really Look Like, And Why They Terrify Us Most people have never seen an infantile spasm. They’re not always big, dramatic seizures. Sometimes they’re small, sudden, repetitive jerks, a quick crunch forward, arms flying up, eyes widening or rolling. They can come in clusters… one after another… like tiny earthquakes hitting your child’s brain. But here’s the truth: infantile spasms are one of the most dangerous and aggressive types of seizures. They attack the developing br