Infantile spasms, also known as West syndrome, is a rare and serious type of epilepsy that affects babies. These seizures are a short frequent jerks and can create developmental issues in the future if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Knowing the signs of infantile jerks as an adult can be the most important thing in your child’s life.
The Signs to look out for: Infantile Spasms Symptoms
The infantile spasms can be subtle and could be misinterpreted as normal movements in babies. But there are certain characteristics that you should be aware of:
Instinctive jerks generally involve the baby’s neck and upper body, which causes them to bend quickly. Furthermore, the legs and arms can flex or stretch in a rapid manner.
The jerks can occur in groups of multiple spasms over an insignificant amount of time (seconds to a minute). These clusters can occur repeatedly throughout the daytime.
Babies may look agitated or cry when they are in a spasm.
The Power of Video – Capturing infantile spasms and triggering early diagnosis
It is imperative to act quickly if suspect that your child may be experiencing spasms in the infant. Every moment counts in ensuring an early diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few instances where video recordings can help save lives:
Visual evidence: By recording the child’s spasms, parents can give doctors valuable visual evidence to help diagnose. These small events can be missed during a doctor’s visit.
Accurate diagnosis: A clear and precise video can help doctors identify infantile spasms, and distinguish them from other kinds of seizures as well as normal baby movements.
Faster treatment: A quick diagnosis allows for treatment to begin quickly possibly reducing the risk of developmental delays resulting from non-treated infantile spasms.
Do Something Now if You Are afraid of infantile spasms
If you witness your baby experiencing suspected infantile spasms:
Make videos. Use your camera, or smartphone to capture as detailed details of the spasms as possible.
Call your pediatrician immediately Get your child examined by a pediatrician is essential. Share the video and explain your concerns.
Bring your child and the video to the nearest emergency room which is geared towards children, if you have to seek emergency care.
Early Intervention is the key to Securing your child’s future
Infantile spasms can be a trigger to cause serious developmental setbacks which can result in a range of issues, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder as well as cerebral palsy. Rapid diagnosis and intervention is crucial in maximizing the chance for your child’s recuperation and attaining normal developmental milestones. There are many treatment options available for infantile spasms. They include diet and pharmaceutical regimens. If the condition is very severe, surgery could be required. Parents can help their children get better cognition and motor skills by addressing the condition whenever possible.
Don’t ignore your gut sensations if there’s a suspicion that something may be wrong with the baby. It’s always safer to be sure instead of sorry. If you are aware of symptoms of infantile spasms, recording a video when you notice the signs, and seeking immediate medical attention, you can take vital steps towards ensuring your child’s health and future health.