Infantile spasms, also referred to as West syndrome is a rare but serious epilepsy condition that affects babies. These seizures are brief and repetitive jerks, which could cause developmental problems later on if not diagnosed and treated promptly. As a parent you must be aware of the symptoms of infantile spasms can be a huge difference to your child’s development.
Be aware of the signs These symptoms are: infantile spasms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and can be easily misinterpreted as normal movements of a baby. However, there are some characteristics that you should be aware of:
Sudden jerks: The spasms typically involve the baby’s neck and upper body, which causes them to bend forward quickly. The arms and legs can also be moved quickly.
Clustered episodes: These tend to be jerks that occur in groups of a number of spasms over a short period (seconds to minutes). The clusters can occur repeatedly throughout the day.
Change in expression: Babies may cry out or look agitated during flashes.
The power of video The Power of Video: Capturing Infantile spasms for Early Diagnosis
If you are concerned that your baby might be suffering from infantile spasms, time is crucial. Every minute counts towards ensuring an early diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few scenarios where recording video can help save lives:
Visual evidence. Documenting your child’s experience with spasms in a series can be incredibly helpful to doctors in diagnosing the condition. Sometimes, these short moments can go unnoticed at a visit to the doctor.
Accurate diagnosis: A clear video lets doctors accurately diagnose infantile spasms and differentiate them from other kinds of seizures or normal baby movements.
Rapid treatment: Early diagnosis may facilitate treatment in a short time, potentially minimizing developmental delays caused by untreated spasms that occur in infants.
Don’t Wait: Urgent Steps If you suspect infantile spasms
If you believe that your child might be suffering from infantile spasms, you should:
Video capture using your phone or camera to take a clear video of the spasms, recording as much detail as possible.
Make contact with your pediatrician as quickly as possible. It is essential that your child sees their doctor. Send the video to them and discuss your concerns.
Find emergency help if required: If you need immediate access to your pediatrician is not possible, bring your child and the video recorder to the nearest emergency facility which treats children.
Early intervention is crucial: Protecting Your Child’s Future
Infantile spasms can be a trigger to trigger significant developmental setbacks which can result in a range of problems, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. Rapid diagnosis and intervention is paramount in optimizing the prospects for your child’s healing and reaching the normal milestones in development. There are numerous treatment options for infantile spasms. These include dietary as well as pharmaceutical treatments. If the issue is severe, surgery may be needed. Parents can aid their children attain improved cognitive and motor functioning by treating the problem as soon as possible. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Videos
Keep in mind: Don’t dismiss your instincts when you suspect there’s something going on with your baby. Always be on guard. It’s crucial to know the signs of infantile spasms, and take videos of them if you notice these signs and seek medical care.