Infantile spasms, formerly known as West syndrome is a rare, serious type of epilepsy that affects babies. These seizures are short, repetitive jerks that can cause lasting developmental problems if not diagnosed and treated quickly. As a parent, being aware of the symptoms of infantile spasms could have a profound impact for your child’s future.

The Signs to look out for Infantile Spasms Symptoms

Infantile spasms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal baby movements. There are certain warning signs to look out for.

Rapid jerks. The spasms are usually experienced in the neck and upper part of a newborn, which causes them to quickly lean to the side. The legs and arms could extend or flex rapidly.

In clustered episodes, these are usually seen in clusters of a number of spasms over the span of a few seconds (seconds to minutes). The clusters can occur repeatedly throughout the day.

Baby may seem agitated, or cry out in spasms.

The Power of Video Capturing Infantile spasms for Early diagnosis

You need to act quickly when you suspect your child is suffering from infantile spasms. Every second counts when it comes to ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few instances where video recordings can save lives:

Visual evidence by recording the child’s spasms, parents will provide your doctor with important visual evidence that can help them diagnose. Sometimes, these small moments can go unnoticed in a doctor’s visit.

The video will help doctors to make a precise diagnosis of infantile spasms, and distinguish the different types or seizures.

Rapid treatment: Early detection can provide a quick treatment, potentially minimizing developmental delays that result from untreated spasms that occur in infants.

If you suspect that your infant is experiencing spasms, you must take action immediately.

If you witness your baby having a hard time sleeping, you should know:

Record the video. Use your camera, or smartphone to capture as as much detail of the spasms as possible.

Call your pediatrician immediately Get your child examined by their pediatrician is crucial. Communicate your concerns, send the video, and emphasize the urgency of the situation.

You should seek immediate emergency treatment, if necessary. If you cannot reach your pediatrician immediately, take your baby and the video to an emergency center nearby for children.

Early Intervention is Key: Preserving your child’s future

Infantile spasms have the potential to cause serious developmental setbacks and can cause a wide range of challenges such as autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. To increase your child’s odds of regaining and achieving developmental milestones, it is imperative to detect and treat them swiftly. There are many treatment options available for infantile spasms. These include dietary and medical regimens. If the condition is severe, surgery may be needed. Parents can assist their children to get better cognitive and motor performance by treating the problem early enough.

Don’t ignore your gut feelings if there is the suspicion that something could be wrong with your baby. It’s always better to be secure rather than being sorry. By being aware of the symptoms of infantile spasms recording a video when you notice them, and seeking immediate medical attention, it is possible to take crucial steps towards ensuring your child’s health and future well-being.