Infantile spasms, also known as West syndrome, is a rare and serious type of epilepsy that affects babies. These seizures are brief and repetitive jerks, which could create developmental issues later on if they are not addressed and treated immediately. Understanding the signs of infantile jerks as a parent can make a huge difference in your child’s development.
Spasms in infants: symptoms and signs to look out for
Infantile spasms can be subtle and can be easily misinterpreted as normal baby movements. There are specific indicators to be aware of.
Sudden jerks: The spasms typically involve the baby’s neck and upper body, causing them to bend forward quickly. The legs and arms could also flex or extend rapidly.
A cluster of episodes : These jerks can occur in groups of spasms with multiple spasms, over a short duration (seconds to minutes). These clusters may happen repeatedly throughout the day.
Babies may look agitated or cry out in spasms.
The power of video: Capturing Infantile Spasms for an early diagnosis
You must act swiftly should you suspect that your child is experiencing spasms in the infant. In order to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment, each second counts. The ability to record a video can save your life:
Visual evidence: Recording your child’s experience with a series of spasms gives doctors crucial evidence to make a diagnosis. These short events are sometimes missed by doctors during an appointment.
A clear video aids doctors to accurately identify infantile seizures and distinguish them from other types seizures, or normal movements of babies.
Treatment may begin earlier: An early diagnosis may permit treatment to commence quicker. This may reduce the risk of developmental delay caused by untreated infantile sprains.
If you suspect that your infant is experiencing spasms, act immediately.
If you think that your child is suffering from infantile spasms, you should:
Video recording: Record the spasms with your phone or camera. Capture as many details as you can.
Make contact with your pediatrician as quickly as you can. It is essential that your child is seen by their physician. Explain your concerns, share the video, and stress the urgency of the situation.
Take your child and video to the nearest emergency room that provides care for children if you are required to seek medical attention in an emergency.
Early intervention is essential to protecting your child’s future
The effects of infantile spasms could be serious developmental delays, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy as well as autism spectrum disorders. To increase your child’s chances of recovering and achieving developmental milestones, it is crucial that you diagnose and treat them quickly. There are a variety of treatment options available to deal with infantile spasms which range from medications to special diets and in more severe instances surgery may be warranted. Parents can aid their children get better cognitive and motor performance by addressing the problem promptly.
Do not ignore your gut senses when there is an inkling that something might be wrong with the baby. Always be vigilant. It is possible to help your child be happy and healthy by educating yourself about signs and signs of infantile sprains. If you notice them, record a video and seek medical attention right away.
