Infantile spasms, also referred to as West syndrome is a rare but severe form of epilepsy that affects infants. These seizures are a short, repetitive jerks which can create developmental issues in the future if they are not addressed and treated immediately. Recognizing the signs of infantile jerks as the parent can make a huge difference in your child’s life. Act today Infantile Spasms Symptoms
The Signs to look out for Early Symptoms: Infantile Spasms
The infantile spasms could be difficult to differentiate from normal baby movements. But there are certain characteristics to be aware of:
A sudden jerk. The spasms are typically experienced in the neck and upper body of a child, which causes them to quickly turn to the side. Arms and legs may be able to extend or bend quickly.
The are usually seen in clusters of spasms that occur over an extremely short time (seconds to minutes). These episodes can be repeated throughout the day.
Change in expression Babies might cry or look agitated during exaggerated movements.
The Power of Video – Capturing Infantile spasms to Early Diagnosis
If you think your child might be experiencing infantile spasms, then time is crucial. Every second counts when it comes to ensuring early diagnosis and treatment. This is where recording a video could be lifesaving:
Visual evidence: By recording your child’s muscle spasms, you can give doctors valuable visual evidence to help diagnose. These brief events can be ignored by doctors during an appointment.
Accurate diagnosis: A clear video helps doctors diagnose infantile spasms, and distinguish them from other types of seizures or normal infant movements.
Treatment speed: Early diagnosis may provide a quick treatment which could reduce the developmental delay caused by untreated spasms among infants.
If you suspect that your child is having spasms, take immediate action.
If you suspect that your child might be suffering from infantile spasms then:
Record a video Make use of your smartphone or camera to take an uncluttered video of the spasms. Capture the most detail you can.
Make an appointment with your pediatrician immediately. It’s important to get your child the presence of a doctor. Your concerns should be explained and provide the video. Also, stress the urgency.
Find emergency help if required In the event that immediate access to your pediatrician unavailable, you should take your baby and the video footage to the closest emergency center that cares for children.
Early Intervention is essential: Preserving your child’s future
Infantile spasms can cause major delays in development, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. It is important to diagnose your child’s condition quickly and act immediately to maximize the likelihood of recovery and milestones your child will experience. There are a variety of treatment options available to deal with infantile spasms that range from medical interventions to special diets and in the more serious cases surgery may be necessary. In addressing this condition by implementing appropriate medical treatment as soon possible parents will increase chances of minimizing the any long-term consequences and assisting their child along the path to improving cognitive and motor function.
Don’t be afraid to listen to your feeling if you have an inkling that something might be wrong with your baby. Always be vigilant. It’s important to know the signs of infantile spasms, and take videos of them if you happen to see them, and get immediate medical care.