Infantile spasms also known as West syndrome is a rare but serious epilepsy condition that affects infants. These seizures are brief, repetitive jerks that can cause long-lasting developmental issues should they not be treated quickly. As a parent you must be aware of the signs of infantile spasms can make all the difference for your child’s future.
Be aware of the signs The symptoms of infantile spasms are
Infantile spasms may be difficult to differentiate from normal movements of a baby. There are some distinct indicators to be aware of.
Spasms that occur suddenly typically affect the neck as well as upper part of the body. The result is that they move forward quickly. Legs and arms can be able to extend or bend quickly.
Clustered episodes : These triggers may be seen in groups of spasms that are multiple over short periods of time (seconds to a minute). These clusters may happen repeatedly throughout the day.
Expression changes Babies can cry or appear agitated during exaggerated movements.
The Power Of Video: Capturing Spasms of infants for early diagnosis
If you are concerned that your baby may be experiencing infantile spasms, then time is of the essence. Every second counts to ensure an early diagnosis and treatment. Here are some instances when video recordings can save lives:
Visual evidence If you record your child’s muscle spasms, you can provide doctors with valuable images to aid in diagnosing. The short-term events are often overlooked by doctors during an appointment.
Accurate diagnosis: Clear video helps doctors diagnose infantile spasms and differentiate them from other types of seizures or normal infant movements.
Treatment speed: Early diagnosis may allow for rapid treatment which could reduce the developmental delay which are caused by non-treated spasms in infants.
If you suspect that your infant is experiencing spasms, act immediately.
If you observe your baby being prone to infantile spasms
Capture video: Take a video of the spasms by using your smartphone or camera. Capture as much detail as you can.
Contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. It is imperative that your child is seen by their physician. Send the video to them and discuss your concerns.
Bring your child and the video to the closest emergency room that is geared towards children, if you have to seek out emergency medical attention.
Early intervention is crucial in ensuring your child’s future
Infantile spasms can be a trigger to precipitate notable developmental setbacks that can be a result of a variety of challenges such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder as well as cerebral palsy. In order to optimize your child’s chances of healing and completing developmental milestones, it is crucial that you recognize and treat them immediately. The treatment for infantile spasms is with a variety including diet changes, to medications. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. Parents can assist their children to achieve improved cognition and motor skills by addressing the issue promptly. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Do not ignore your gut sensations if there’s the suspicion that something could be wrong with the baby. Always be cautious. It is important to be aware of infantile spasms symptoms, capture footage of them in case you notice them, and get immediate medical care.