Infantile spasms (also called West Syndrome) is a severe and uncommon form of epilepsy that is affecting infants. These seizures are short and repetitive, but they can cause permanent developmental issues if not diagnosed and treated quickly. As a parent, knowing the signs of infantile spasms can make a world of difference for your child’s future.
Infantile spasms: Symptoms and signs to look out for
Infantile spasms are often subtle and can be easily misinterpreted as normal baby movements. There are some distinct indications to be on the lookout for.
Sudden jerks: The spasms usually involve the neck of the infant as well as its upper body, causing them to bend their bodies quickly. The legs and arms can also be moved quickly.
A cluster of episodes : These are jerks that occur in groups of multiple spasms over an insignificant amount of time (seconds to minute). These clusters of spasms can happen throughout the entire day.
The expression of babies may cry or look a bit shocked when they experience spasms.
The Power Of Video: Capturing Spasms In infants for early diagnosis
If you think your baby may be experiencing infantile spasms, then time is of the essence. In order to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment, each second counts. A video recording can save your life:
Visual evidence. Noting that your child is experiencing an escalating series of spasms could be incredibly useful to doctors when it comes to diagnosing the issue. The short-term events are often not noticed by doctors at an appointment.
Accurate diagnosis: Clear video allows doctors to accurately diagnose infantile spasms and differentiate them from other types of seizures as well as normal baby movement.
Rapid treatment: Early diagnosis can facilitate treatment in a short time which could reduce the developmental delay which are caused by non-treated spasms in infants.
If you suspect infantile spasms, act immediately.
If you suspect that your child might be suffering from infantile spasms then:
Take the video. Use your camera, or phone to record as many details of the spasms as possible.
Contact your pediatrician immediately: Getting your child seen by their pediatrician is crucial. Be clear about your concerns, and share the video and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Bring your child and the video to the nearest emergency room which is geared towards children, if you have to seek out emergency medical attention.
Early intervention is the Key to safeguarding your child’s future
Infantile spasms could be the cause of developmental problems including cerebral palsy or intellectual disabilities. In order to optimize your child’s chances of recovering and completing developmental milestones, it is essential to detect and treat them swiftly. There are a variety of treatment options available for infantile spasms. They include diet and pharmaceutical regimens. If the condition is very severe, surgery could also be necessary. When addressing this problem with the appropriate medical treatment as soon possible parents will increase the likelihood of minimizing long-term effects and helping their child on his or their journey to improve cognitive and motor function. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Don’t ignore your instincts when you suspect that something is wrong in your child. Always better to be safe rather than sorry. It’s important to know the infantile spasms ‘ symptoms, make videos of them if you see them, and get immediate medical care.