Infantile spasms also known as West syndrome is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that affects babies. These seizures are short and repetitive, but they can cause lasting developmental problems when not treated and diagnosed promptly. Recognizing the symptoms of infantile jerks as an adult can be the most important thing in your child’s development.
Find the symptoms: Infantile spasms symptoms
Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. But there are certain characteristics that you should be aware of:
Instinctive jerks generally involve the baby’s neck and upper body, causing them to flex forward rapidly. Legs and arms may also move quickly.
In clustered episodes, these jerks often occur in clusters of spasms that occur over brief time (seconds to minutes). These can happen in a series throughout the day.
Expression changes: Babies may cry or appear to be shocked in the event of spasms.
The Power Of Video: Capturing Spasms of Infants for Early Diagnoses
If you think your baby might be experiencing infantile spasms, then time is crucial. Every second counts when it comes to ensuring the diagnosis is made early and treatment. Video recording could help save your life
Visual evidence: Keeping a record of your child’s symptoms as a cluster of spasms offers doctors valuable evidence of visuals to help diagnose. These minor events can not be noticed during a physician’s visit.
The video will allow doctors to make a precise diagnosis of infantile spasms, and to differentiate them from other types or seizures.
Treatment speed: Early diagnosis may facilitate treatment in a short time possibly reducing developmental delays which are caused by non-treated spasms in infants.
Don’t wait: Take Urgent Action When You Suspect Infantile Spasms
If you see your baby experiencing suspected infantile spasms:
Create an audio or video. Make use of your camera or phone to record as much detail of the spasms as you can.
Make an appointment with your pediatrician immediately. It’s important to get your child in the presence of a doctor. Discuss your concerns, provide the video recording, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
It is important to seek emergency medical assistance, if you need it. If you can’t reach your pediatrician immediately, take the baby and video recording to a nearby emergency department for children.
Early intervention is the Key to ensuring your child’s future
Infantile spasms can be a cause of developmental problems including cerebral palsy or intellectual disabilities. The rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to maximize the chances for your child’s recuperation and reaching the normal developmental milestones. There are a variety of treatment options available to treat infantile spasms which range from medications and specialized diets and in more severe instances the need for surgery might be required. If you address this issue promptly through appropriate medical management, parents increase the chance of minimizing long-term effects and facilitating their child’s journey towards improved motor and cognitive functioning.
Remember: Don’t ignore your instincts when you think there’s something not right with your child. Always be aware. It’s important to be aware of the signs of infantile spasms, and take videos of them if you observe these signs and seek medical care.