Infantile spasms is also known as West syndrome. It is a rare but serious type of epilepsy that affects infants. These seizures are short and repetitive, but they can cause long-lasting developmental issues when not treated and diagnosed promptly. As a parent you must be aware of the signs of infantile spasms may make all the difference to your child’s development.
Spotting the Signs The Symptoms of Infantile Spasms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. However, there are some specific signs to be aware of:
Rapid jerks. The spasms are generally felt in the neck or upper body of a newborn, which can cause them to rapidly bend forward. Legs and arms can also flex or extend rapidly.
Clustered episodes : These snaps may occur in clusters of several spasms in the course of a brief time (seconds to a minute). The clusters can occur repeatedly throughout the day.
Babys may appear startled or cry out during spasms.
The Power of Video: Capturing Spasms in infants for early diagnosis
Time is crucial if you suspect that your child may have infantile spasms. The early diagnosis and treatment is dependent on every second. The following are some instances where video recording could be lifesaving:
Visual evidence by recording the child’s spasms, parents can offer doctors visual evidence that can help them diagnose. Sometimes, these short instances can be missed in a doctor’s visit.
The video will enable doctors to make an accurate diagnosis of infantile spasms and differentiate them from other types or seizures.
Quicker treatment: An immediate diagnosis allows treatment to begin quickly and reduces the chance of developmental delays that are associated with untreated infantile spasms.
Don’t Wait: Urgent Steps If You Think Your Child is Having Spasms
If you notice your child being prone to infantile spasms
Make a video recording using your phone or camera to take a clear video of the spasms, recording as much detail as you can.
Contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. It is essential that your child is seen by their physician. Discuss your concerns, provide the video and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Take your child and the video to the nearest emergency center that takes care of children in the event that you require to seek urgent care.
Early Intervention is the first step for ensuring the future of your child.
Infantile spasms can be a trigger to trigger significant developmental setbacks which can result in a range of issues, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. To increase your child’s chances of recovering and achieving developmental milestones, it is essential to diagnose and treat them quickly. The treatment for infantile spasms is in a variety of ways including diet changes, to medications. For more serious cases, surgery may be required. By addressing the issue with the appropriate medical treatment as soon possible, parents can increase the chances of minimizing any long-term consequences and assisting their child on his or her path to better cognitive and motor function.
Never ignore your gut instinct whenever you feel that something could be wrong with your child. It is always better to be cautious instead of being unlucky. It is possible to help your child stay healthy and happy by being informed about the signs and symptoms of infantile strains. If you observe them, make a video and get medical attention immediately.
