Infantile spasms are also referred to as West syndrome. It is a rare, severe kind of epilepsy that can affect infants. These seizures are a short frequent jerks and can cause developmental problems in the future if not treated and diagnosed promptly. Recognizing the symptoms of infantile jerks as the parent can make a huge difference in your child’s development.
Recognizing the Signs: Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. However, there are specific characteristics to look out for:
Sudden jerks – The spasms typically affect the neck as well as upper body. They move forward quickly. Also, the arms and legs could flex or stretch out rapidly.
In clustered episodes, these are usually seen in clusters of a number of spasms over the span of a few seconds (seconds to minutes). These clusters may happen repeatedly throughout the day.
Expression changes Babies can cry or look agitated during flashes.
The power of video The Power of Video: Capturing Infantile spasms for early diagnosis
It is essential to be on the lookout for time if you believe your child might be experiencing infantile spasms. In order to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment, every second counts. Here are a few instances where video recordings can save lives:
Visual evidence. Documenting your child’s experience with the spasms for a long time can be incredibly helpful to doctors to diagnose the problem. These short events are sometimes overlooked by doctors during an appointment.
A clear video helps doctors pinpoint infantile seizures. It also helps distinguish them from other kinds of seizures, or normal movement in babies.
Rapider treatment: A rapid diagnosis enables treatment to begin swiftly and reduces the chance of delays in development that can be caused by untreated infantile spasms.
Don’t wait: Take Urgent Action If You suspect that you are experiencing infantile spasms
If you see your baby having a hard time sleeping, you should know:
Record a video using your phone or camera to record an uncluttered video of the spasms. Make sure you record as much detail as possible.
Get in touch with your pediatrician as fast as you can. It is crucial to ensure that your child visits their doctor. Make sure to share the video and talk about your concerns.
Seek emergency care if necessary: If you need immediate access to your pediatrician is unavailable, take your baby and the video recording to the closest emergency center that treats children.
Early Intervention is the first step to ensuring your child’s future
Infantile spasms can result in serious developmental delays, such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. It is essential to recognize your child promptly and intervene immediately to maximize the likelihood of recovery and milestones for your child. The treatment for infantile spasms is in a variety of ways, from dietary changes to medications. For more serious cases surgical intervention may be necessary. By promptly addressing this condition through appropriate medical management, parents can increase the chances of mitigating long-term consequences and aiding their child’s progress toward better motor and cognitive functioning.
Be aware of your gut feeling if you suspect that something is wrong with your baby. It’s always safer to be sure instead of sorry. It’s important to be aware of the infantile spasms and symptoms, take a video of them if you see these signs and seek medical attention.
