Infantile spasms (also called West Syndrome) is a serious and uncommon form of epilepsy that affects infants. If not dealt with and diagnosed quickly, these seizures can lead to developmental issues. Knowing the symptoms of infantile jerks as a parent can change the course of your child’s development.
The Signs to look out for 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:
Sudden jerks – The spasms generally affect the neck and upper body. They lean forward rapidly. Also, legs and arms could bend or stretch out rapidly.
The jerks can occur in groups of multiple spasms over an insignificant amount of time (seconds to minutes). These spasm clusters could happen throughout the daytime.
The expression of babies might cry or seem startled when they are experiencing spasms.
The power of video Capturing Infantile Spasms early diagnosis
If you suspect your baby may be experiencing infantile spasms or other issues, time is of the essence. To ensure prompt diagnosis and a successful treatment, every second counts. Here are a few scenarios where video recording can save lives:
Visual evidence: Documenting your child’s experience with a series of spasms provides doctors with an invaluable evidence-based visual proof to diagnose. These short-term events could be missed at a doctor’s appointment.
The video can help doctors to make an accurate diagnosis of infantile spasms, and differentiate the different types or seizures.
Rapid treatment: Early diagnosis could provide a quick treatment, potentially minimizing developmental delays which are caused by untreated spasms among infants.
If you suspect that your child is having spasms, you must take action immediately.
If you think that your child is suffering from infantile spasms then:
Make an audio or video. Use your camera, or phone to record as as much detail of the spasms as you can.
Get in touch with your pediatrician as soon as possible. It’s important to get your child in front of a pediatrician. Send the video to them and discuss your concerns.
Get emergency treatment if needed In the event that immediate access to your pediatrician not possible, bring your child and the video recorder to the nearest emergency department which treats children.
Early intervention is the first step to safeguarding your child’s future
The effects of infantile spasms could be serious developmental delays, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder. Quick diagnosis and prompt intervention are essential to maximize the chances for your child’s recuperation and achieving the typical milestones in development. Infantile spasms can be treated in a variety of ways, from dietary changes to pharmaceuticals. If the condition is more severe surgeries may be required. By promptly addressing this condition through appropriate medical management, parents increase the chance of mitigating long-term consequences and aiding their child’s progress toward improved motor and cognitive functioning.
Never ignore your gut instinct if you think something is wrong in your child. Always better to be safe instead of being sorry. It’s essential to be aware of the infantile spasms symptoms, capture an image of them when you observe them, and get immediate medical care.