Infantile spasms (also referred to as West Syndrome) is a severe and uncommon epilepsy that is affecting infants. These seizures are brief and repetitive jerks, which could create developmental issues in the future if they are not diagnosed and treated promptly. As a parent, understanding the signs of infantile spasms can make a world of difference to your child’s development.
Spotting the Signs: Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. However, there are some specific traits to look for:
Involuntary jerks generally affect the neck and the upper portion of the body. They move forward quickly. The legs and arms can also move rapidly.
A cluster of episodes : These triggers may be seen in groups of spasms with multiple spasms, over short periods of time (seconds to minutes). These can be repeated during the time of the day.
Change of expression: Babies might cry or seem agitated in the event of spasms.
The power of video – Capturing Infantile spasms for Early diagnosis
Time is crucial if you suspect that your child may have spasms in the infant. Every minute counts towards ensuring an early diagnosis and treatment. Here are some instances when video recording could save lives:
Visual evidence by recording your child’s movements, you can provide doctors with valuable images to aid in diagnosing. Sometimes, these small instances can be missed during a doctor’s appointment.
The video will allow doctors to make a precise diagnosis of infantile spasms and differentiate the different types or seizures.
Treatment speed: Early detection can facilitate treatment in a short time, potentially minimizing developmental delays which are caused by untreated spasms in infants.
Get Help Now if You Think You’ve seen infantile spit-up
If you see your baby having suspected infantile spasms
Record a video. Use your camera or smartphone to capture as detailed details of the spasms as is possible.
Get in touch with your pediatrician right away In order to get your child checked by a pediatrician is essential. Explain your concerns, share the video, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Bring your child and the video to the nearest emergency room which provides care for children if you are required to seek out emergency medical attention.
Early intervention is crucial: Preserving your child’s future
Infantile spasms can cause major delays in development, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorders. To maximize your child’s chances of healing and reaching developmental milestones, it is vital to detect and treat them swiftly. Many treatment options are available to treat infantile spasms including pharmaceutical treatments to specific diet regimens and in more severe instances surgery may be necessary. In addressing this condition with the appropriate medical treatment early enough, parents can increase chances of minimizing the negative long-term effects, and assist their child on his or his or her path to better motor and cognitive functioning.
Do not ignore your gut feeling if you have the suspicion that something could be wrong with the baby. Always prefer to be safe instead of being sorry. It is important to know the signs of infantile spasms, and take an image of them when you happen to see them, and get immediate medical care.