Infantile spasms (also called West Syndrome) is a serious and rare epilepsy that is affecting infants. If not treated and diagnosed quickly, these seizures can result in developmental issues. Understanding the symptoms of infantile jerks as parents can make all the difference in your child’s development.
Spot the signs The symptoms of infantile spasms are
Infantile spasms tend to be mild and may be misinterpreted as normal movements in babies. But there are certain characteristics to look out for:
Involuntary jerks generally affect the neck and upper part of the body. They move forward quickly. Legs and arms can extend or flex rapidly.
In clustered episodes, these tend to occur in clusters of spasms that occur over an extremely short time (seconds to minutes). These clusters may happen repeatedly throughout the day.
Change in expression Babies can cry or seem agitated during spasms.
The Power Of Video: Capturing Spasms and Movements in infants for diagnosis earlier
Time is crucial if you suspect that your child may be experiencing infantile spasms. To ensure prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, every second counts. Capturing a video could save your life:
Visual evidence. Noting that your child is experiencing the spasms for a long time can be incredibly useful to doctors in diagnosing the condition. Sometimes, these brief incidents can be overlooked during a doctor’s appointment.
A clear video aids doctors pinpoint infantile seizures and distinguish them from other types of seizures or normal movements for babies.
Quicker treatment: An immediate diagnosis allows treatment to be initiated quickly and reduces the chance of delays in development that can be caused by non-treated infantile spasms.
Don’t Wait: Urgent Steps If You Think Your Child is Having Spasms
If you notice your child with suspected infantile spasms
Record videos. Use your camera, or smartphone to capture as many details of the spasms you experience as you can.
Make contact with your pediatrician as quickly as possible. It is imperative to ensure that your child visits their pediatrician. Explain your concerns, share the video recording, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Get emergency treatment if needed: If immediate access to your pediatrician is not available, then take your baby and the video recorder to the closest emergency facility which treats children.
Early intervention is crucial: Protecting Your Child’s Future
Infantile spasms can cause serious developmental delays, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders. It is important to diagnose your child’s symptoms quickly and intervene immediately to increase the chance of healing and milestones for your child. There are a variety of treatment options available for addressing infantile spasms, including pharmaceutical treatments to specialized dietary regimens, and in the more serious cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. If you address this issue promptly through appropriate medical management, parents can enhance the likelihood of minimizing long-term damage and assist their child’s progression toward improved cognitive and motor functioning. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Symptoms
Do not ignore the instincts of your body if you suspect there’s something an issue with your baby. Always better to be safe rather than sorry. By being aware of signs of infantile spasms, recording a video when you see them, and seeking urgent medical attention, you can take crucial steps towards ensuring your child’s safety and well-being.