Infantile spasms are also referred to as West syndrome. It is a rare, severe kind of epilepsy that can affect babies. If not treated and diagnosed promptly, these seizures could result in developmental issues. As a parent, being aware of the signs of infantile spasms may make all the difference to your child’s development.
Be aware of the signs: Infantile spasms symptoms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. There are specific warning signs to look out for.
Instinctive jerks usually involve the neck of the infant as well as its upper body, causing them to bend forward quickly. Legs and arms can be able to extend or bend quickly.
Infrequent episodes: These spasms tend to be grouped in an extremely short amount of time (seconds or even minutes). These spasm clusters could occur at any time during the day.
Change of expression Babies might cry or appear startled during the flashes.
The power of video – Capturing Infantile spasms to Early diagnosis
If you think your child might be having infantile spasms, then time is of the essence. To ensure a timely diagnosis and effective treatment, each second counts. This is where recording a video can be lifesaving:
Visual evidence: Documenting your child’s reaction to a cluster of spasms can provide doctors with valuable evidence of visuals to help diagnose. Sometimes, these minor instances can be missed when a doctor’s appointment is scheduled.
The video will allow doctors to make a precise diagnosis of infantile spasms, and differentiate the different types or seizures.
Rapid treatment: Early diagnosis can enable quick treatment, potentially minimizing developmental delays which are caused by untreated spasms in infants.
Take Action Now if You Suspect Infantile Spastics
If you witness your baby having a hard time sleeping, you should know:
Video capture Make use of your smartphone or camera to take a clear video of the spasms, recording the most detail you can.
Get in touch with your pediatrician as soon as possible. It’s essential to get your child the presence of a pediatrician. Explain your concerns, share the video footage, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
It is imperative to seek urgent emergency medical assistance, if you need it. If you are unable to reach your pediatric physician immediately, bring the infant and video recorder to an emergency room nearby for children.
Early Intervention is essential: Protecting Your Child’s Future
Infantile spasms can be a cause of developmental problems like cerebral palsy or intellectual disabilities. To maximize your child’s chances of recovering and reaching developmental milestones it is crucial that you diagnose and treat them quickly. Different treatment methods are available to treat infantile spasms ranging from pharmaceutical interventions to special diets and in the more serious cases, surgical intervention may be required. In addressing this condition with appropriate medical management as soon possible parents increase chances of minimizing the any long-term consequences and assisting their child in his or her journey to improved cognitive and motor function.
Do not ignore your gut feeling if you suspect that something is wrong with your baby. Always prefer to be safe instead of being unlucky. It is important to be aware of the infantile spasms and symptoms, take videos of them if you observe them, and get immediate medical care.