Infantile spasms (also referred to as West Syndrome) is a severe and rare epilepsy that is affecting infants. These seizures are brief repeated jerks that can cause developmental problems in the future if they are not identified and treated quickly. As a parent, knowing the signs of infantile spasms may be a huge difference for your child’s future.
Infantile spasms: Symptoms and signs to look out for
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. There are some distinct indicators to be aware of.
Sudden jerks: The spasms typically involve the baby’s neck and upper body, causing them to bend forward quickly. Additionally, the legs and arms can flex or stretch quickly.
The are usually seen in clusters of spasms that occur over an extremely short time (seconds to minutes). The spasms in these clusters may occur at any time during the entire day.
Expression changes: Babies might cry or seem agitated when they are experiencing spasms.
The Power of Video – Capturing infantile spasms and triggering early diagnosis
If you think your child might be having infantile spasms, time is crucial. Every second counts to ensure the diagnosis is made early and treatment. The following are some instances where video recording can save lives:
Visual evidence: Recording your child experiencing a cluster of spasms gives doctors an invaluable evidence-based visual proof to diagnose. Sometimes, these minor incidents can be overlooked in a doctor’s visit.
Accurate diagnosis: A clear video lets doctors accurately diagnose infantile spasms and differentiate them from other types of seizures, or normal baby movements.
Treatment may begin earlier If a diagnosis is made early, it could allow treatment to start faster. This can reduce the risk of developmental delay due to untreated infantile strains.
Act Now if you suspect that your child has spastics
If you notice your child having a hard time sleeping, you should know:
Create the video. Make use of your camera or phone to capture as detailed details of the spasms you experience as you can.
Contact your pediatrician as soon as you can. It is imperative that your child sees their doctor. Be clear about your concerns, and share the video recording, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Bring your child along with the video to the closest emergency room that is geared towards children, if you have to seek out emergency medical attention.
Early intervention is the most important factor for ensuring the future of your child.
Infantile spasms can be a trigger to precipitate notable developmental setbacks and can cause a wide range of challenges such as autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. To increase your child’s chance of regaining and reaching developmental milestones it is vital to identify and treat them promptly. Spasms in infants can be treated through a variety of approaches such as diet and lifestyle changes to pharmaceuticals. In more serious cases, surgery may be required. When you tackle this issue as soon as it is detected by implementing appropriate medical care, parents can enhance the likelihood of minimizing long-term damage and aiding their child’s progress toward better motor and cognitive functioning.
Do not ignore your gut if you think something is wrong in your child. Always better to be safe instead of sorry. It is important to be aware of the infantile spasms symptoms, capture videos of them if you observe these signs and seek medical attention.