Infantile spasms can also be referred to as West syndrome. It is a rare but serious form of epilepsy affecting infants. These seizures are brief and repetitive jerks, which could cause developmental issues in the future if they are not identified and treated quickly. Being aware of the indicators of infantile jerks parents can make a huge difference in your child’s development.
Identifying the Signs The Symptoms of Infantile Spasms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and are often misinterpreted as normal movements of a baby. However, there are specific signs to be aware of:
Spontaneous jerks typically affect the neck as well as the upper portion of the body. This causes them to bend quickly forward. The legs and arms can also be moved quickly.
The tend to occur in clusters of several spasms within brief time (seconds to minutes). These spasm clusters could happen throughout the day.
Babies can appear agitated or cry when they are in a spasm.
The Power of Video: Capturing Spasms of Infants for Early Diagnoses
You must act swiftly if you think your child is experiencing infantile spasms. Every moment counts in ensuring an early diagnosis and treatment. The following are some instances where video recording could be lifesaving:
Visual evidence: Recording your child’s experience with a series of spasms offers doctors invaluable visual evidence for diagnosis. These short events are sometimes ignored by doctors during an appointment.
A clear video helps doctors to accurately identify infantile seizures and differentiate them from other kinds of seizures, or normal movement in babies.
Faster treatment: A quick diagnosis allows the treatment to start quickly, potentially minimizing the risk of developmental delays that are associated with untreated infantile spasms.
Don’t put off: Take Action If You Think Your Child is Having Spasms
If you observe your child experiencing suspected infantile spasms:
Make videos. Utilize your camera or phone to capture as detailed details of the spasms as possible.
Contact your pediatrician as soon as you can. It is essential that your child is seen by their physician. The doctor should discuss your concerns and then share the video. Make sure you emphasize the urgency.
It is imperative to seek urgent emergency medical attention, if required. If you are unable to reach your pediatric physician immediately, bring your baby and the video to an emergency room nearby for children.
Early Intervention is Key: Making sure your child is protected for the future
Infantile spasms can lead to major delays in development, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder. To increase your child’s chance of regaining and achieving developmental milestones, it is essential to diagnose and treat them quickly. Many treatment options are available to deal with infantile spasms ranging from pharmaceutical interventions to specialized dietary regimens, and in extreme cases, surgical intervention may be required. By addressing the issue quickly through appropriate medical management, parents can increase the chances of minimizing long-term damage and facilitating their child’s journey toward better motor and cognitive functioning. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Videos
Do not ignore your gut whenever you feel that something could be wrong in your child. Always prefer to be safe rather than sorry. It is important to know signs of infantile spasms, and take videos of them if you notice them and seek immediate medical care.