Group of doctors checking x-rays in a hospital

Recognize The Signs: Infantile Spasms (West Syndrome) – Every Second Counts

Infantile spasms (also referred to as West Syndrome) is a severe and rare form of epilepsy that affects infants. If not treated and diagnosed promptly, these seizures could lead to developmental issues. As a parent you must be aware of the signs of infantile spasms may be a huge difference for your child’s future.

Spotting the Signs Infantile Spasms Symptoms

Infantile spasms tend to be mild and may be misinterpreted for normal movement in infants. But there are some specific characteristics that you should be aware of:

A sudden jerk. The spasms are usually experienced in the neck and upper part of a newborn, which causes them to quickly bend forward. Also, legs and arms could bend or stretch rapidly.

The jerks often occur in clusters of several spasms within the span of a few seconds (seconds to minutes). These can happen in a series throughout the day.

Baby may seem agitated, or cry out during spasms.

The Power of Video: Capturing Spasms of infants for diagnosis earlier

If you suspect your baby may be experiencing infantile spasms, then time is of the essence. In order to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment, each second counts. Here are some instances when recording video can help save lives:

Visual evidence: By recording your child’s muscle spasms, you can give doctors valuable visual evidence to diagnose. These brief events can be not noticed by doctors at an appointment.

The video will enable doctors to make an accurate diagnosis of infantile spasms, and to differentiate them from other types of seizures.

Treatment speed: Early diagnosis may enable quick treatment possibly reducing developmental delays that result from untreated spasms in infants.

Do Something Now if You suspect that your child has spastics

If you notice your child being prone to infantile spasms

Video capture Make use of your smartphone or camera to take a clear video of the spasms. Make sure you record as much detail as possible.

Make contact with your pediatrician as quickly as possible. It is essential that your child visit your pediatrician. Discuss your concerns, provide the video and emphasize the urgency of the situation.

You must seek immediate emergency medical assistance, if you need it. If you are unable to reach your pediatric doctor immediately, you should take the infant and video recorder to an emergency center nearby for children.

Early Intervention is the key to Making sure your child is protected for the future

Infantile spasms can be a trigger to cause significant developmental delays which can result in a range of issues, including autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. The rapid diagnosis and treatment are paramount in optimizing the prospects for your child’s healing and achieving the typical milestones in development. There are a variety of treatment options available for infantile spasms. This includes diets and medical regimens. If the problem is serious, surgery may also be necessary. By addressing the issue quickly by implementing appropriate medical care, parents increase the probability of mitigating long-term consequences and facilitating their child’s journey toward improved cognitive and motor functioning. Learn more here Infantile Spasms Videos

Always listen to your gut when you suspect that something is wrong for your child. Always be vigilant. If you are aware of signs of infantile spasms, capturing a video if you observe them, and seeking urgent medical attention, you will be able to be proactive in ensuring your child’s health and wellbeing.

Scroll to Top