Infantile spasms (also known as West Syndrome) is a severe and rare epilepsy that affects infants. The seizures are short, repetitive jerks which can cause developmental issues in the future if they are not treated and diagnosed promptly. Understanding the symptoms and signs of infantile spasms can be crucial for the future of your child. Act today Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Spot the signs The symptoms of infantile spasms are
Infantile spasms are sometimes difficult to distinguish from normal baby movements. But there are some specific characteristics that you should be aware of:
Rapid jerks: These spasms generally involve the baby’s neck and upper body, which causes them to bend quickly. The legs and arms can also move rapidly.
In clustered episodes, these tend to be jerks that occur in groups of a number of spasms over the span of a few seconds (seconds to minutes). These clusters can occur repeatedly throughout the day.
Baby may seem agitated, or cry when they are in a spasm.
The power of video – Capturing Infantile spasms to Early Diagnosis
If you think your child might be having infantile spasms then time is of the essence. The early diagnosis and treatment is dependent on the moment. Here are a few instances where recording video can save lives:
Visual evidence When you document the child’s spasms, parents can provide doctors with valuable visual evidence that can help them diagnose. These brief events can be not noticed by doctors at an appointment.
The video will allow doctors to make a precise diagnosis of infantile spasms and also distinguish the different types of seizures.
Quicker treatment: An immediate diagnosis allows for treatment to begin swiftly and reduces the chance of delays in development that can be caused by untreated infantile spasms.
If you suspect that your infant is experiencing spasms, act immediately.
If you notice your child suffering from suspected infantile spasms,
Make videos. Use your camera, or phone to capture as much detail of the spasms as you can.
Make an appointment with your pediatrician immediately. It’s crucial to bring your child in front of a pediatrician. Send the video to them and discuss your concerns.
Take your child and the video to the closest emergency room that provides care for children if you are required to seek medical attention in an emergency.
Early intervention is vital to safeguarding your child’s future
Infantile spasms have the potential to precipitate notable developmental setbacks that can be a result of a variety of issues, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. To increase your child’s odds of regaining and achieving developmental milestones, it is essential to diagnose and treat them quickly. There are numerous treatment options for infantile spasms. They include diet as well as pharmaceutical treatments. If the condition is severe, surgery may be required. By addressing the issue quickly through appropriate medical management parents can increase the chances of minimizing the long-term negative effects and facilitating their child’s journey towards improved motor and cognitive functioning.
Don’t be afraid to listen to your feelings if there is a suspicion that something may be wrong with the baby. Always be vigilant. It is important to know infantile spasms and symptoms, take a video of them if you notice them, and get immediate medical attention.
