Emma Julymar Mateo Gomez, (born March 07, 2016) is a beautiful blondie and adorable baby girl, just like many others suffering from a terrible illness called the “West Syndrome”. Now, what’s the West Syndrome in a child? As for many other unfortunate children, the West syndrome also known as the infantile spasm is an uncommon and distinctive epileptic disorder that was first described by Dr. W. West (in 1841) in his own son. The disease is related in infants among the ages of 3 and 12 months, normally at the fifth month of age.

The signs and symptoms of such a horrible illness have been described as: Hypsarrhythmia (abnormal brain waves detected by an electroencephalogram or [EEG]), mental retardation, regular seizures and (Jack-knife seizures in which the infant suddenly bends forward at the waist). Furthermore, what causes the West syndrome? Any severe brain injury at birth; such as, Brain malformations, Metabolic disease, Chromosome abnormalities, Tuberous sclerosis (a genetic condition) and/or Convulsions (lack of oxygen to the brain).

What is the treatment for West syndrome? Treatment is based on the cause. And there is no cure for the disease; unfortunately, the only treatment is to reduce daily symptoms throughout proper medications; such as, Reagin, Kopodex, Keppra, Meldiban, Atemperator S, Clonagin, Ipnopan and Clobazam, better known as Urbadan. Emma’s physical limitations are: at the age of 4 is unable to sit, speak, regular sleeping hours of a normal scheduled. In other words, Emma cannot keep up a regular infant routine – she was able to physically smile at the age of 2.

Emma is a lovely human being that has given to others the hope and love that she needed in return from her parents who decided to dispose of her due to their financial and economical past and present hardships; placing the infant-blonde permanently inside a new foster-home with new loving family in care of Robert, Paola, Ery, Osorio and Valeria.

Children’s life expectancy with West syndrome is variable. And, unfortunately, every 100 babies diagnosed with the illness do not survive beyond five years of age. For over 25 years the study of 214 children with such a terrible disease showed about 61% dying at or before the age of 10. Emma was registered at the (Conani) in Dominican Republic for legal adoption documents in order to be provided with educational, financial and medical support by the present family, and be embraced as a God’s gift.