Thanks for contributing an answer to Parenting Stack Exchange! My daughter is 4 yo now and has turned out great. Joints may stay straight and not bend, or they may stay bent and a child can't straighten them. 2. She is still very easily excitable which is awesome on holidays and new experiences but she doesn't tremor and shake anymore. Children's Health will not sell, share or rent your information to third parties. According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, when a baby is having a seizure, it is crucial to keep them away from any hard objects to reduce the risk of injury. Truce of the burning tree -- how realistic? Severe cases of hypertonia can get worse over time and impact your childs overall health and wellbeing, sometimes leading to permanent immobility, putting them at risk of falls, infection and bedsores. Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing, turns blue, seizes for more than five minutes, or is unresponsive for 30 minutes after a seizure ends. Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures. As your child gets older, long-term care will be necessary, like continuing physical therapy, to improve their mobility as they engage more with the world around them. All rights reserved. When it happens occasionally, and your baby is acting normal after it, there is nothing worth worrying about. And possibly as they get older they will show excitement in other ways. Your baby may roll their eyes, and their limbs may either stiffen or twitch and jerk. Atonic seizures involve a sudden loss of muscle tone and typically cause a person to become limp. Visit ourabout pageto learn more. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Thanks for the reassurance all is well, it definitely isn't as uncontrollable as a seizure. Common viruses, such as the flu, can cause a babys temperature to rise, increasing their risk of a febrile seizure. It is relatively common in children. The severity of symptoms depends on the location of the injury to the brain and spinal cord. Hi. If your infant grunts and stiffens while obviously in distress, even if you think it is constipation, talk to your doctor. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). It may feel discomforting to lift your baby and they feel stiff like a statue, but treatments are available. 2. Remember, the children you work with are developmentally delayed so they are exhibiting behaviors that a baby would. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. I'm not terribly worried & it is cuteI just feel a bit cautious I guess as a first time mom & as a result of what happened at birth (she had a twin brother who was in a separate sac & died from a hidden placental abruption). Symptoms vary from person to person diagnosed with hypertonia. Something to think about is that if it were something bad neurologically, it would probably be involuntary, and she probably wouldn't do it consistently in response to stimuli if it were neurological. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. Proud to be ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties the last five years. Our next apointment will be in July unless I take . Learn more about our program and services, Documenting when episodes happen, how long they last and how your baby reacted, Tracking changes in developmental milestones, such as smiling and interacting. During tummy time, 4-month-old babies alternate easily between a superman position and a forearm propped position. Learn more here. It happens mostly when he is excited and or wants something he sees. An abnormal electrical discharge in the brain causes a seizure. It is a common condition and can also occur on its own in the womb. Pathways that connect nerves to your brain manage and control muscle tone. Parents or caregivers should not worry when they notice this behavior. Adelaide was diagnosed with infantile spasms when their family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in "Hamilton: An American Musical." Some contractures are mild. When to start looking for a new nanny if our 11-month-old does not accept her? But sometimes, those behaviors are normal and do not merit developmental problems at all. Right now, she's just beginning to crawl & is trying to pull up. How to use Multiwfn software (for charge density and ELF analysis)? So well done, you just made her happy! Hi my son is doing the same thing hes now 14 months and it started at about 10 months . A baby may need several EEGs, so a doctor can see what their brain activity is like between seizures. Hi adm7997, my 6 month old son had started doing this when he sees something that really excites him, like a ceiling fan or the rain. But if anyone has any updates that would be great. Its normally diagnosed in babies before two years of age. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Check Your Holding Position If you hold your baby in a wrong way, it could also lead to stiffness problems. Our daughter, Adelaide, was diagnosed with infantile spasms when she was 9 months old. We avoid using tertiary references. This condition, also called stiff baby syndrome, is when the baby stiffens her body, most notably, her legs and arms, particularly when being picked up. Was curious what the outcome was. I have a two month old and experiencing the same thing. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Hypertonia will make it difficult for your child to move their arms and legs, as theres a disconnect between how their brain communicates to their nerves and muscles, telling them when to contract (relax) their muscles. Designated as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, Children's Medical Center Dallas provides the highest level of treatment for the most complex cases of pediatric epilepsy, with additional advanced epilepsy treatment options available at our Level 3 Epilepsy Center in Plano. Muscle tone is the amount of resistance (tension) to movement in your muscles. Something like keeping your arm from shaking seems easy, but is actually quite complicated from a control systems point of view. He's always been kinda stiff with his legs and arms, and some relatives have brought it to my attention but I thought it was him being uncomfortable. Imaging tests to observe their brain and spinal cord like an MRI or CT scan. It definitely only occurs when she's super excited. Totally normal. bend and hold their arms and legs in awkward positions, experiencing symptoms for longer than 5 minutes, uncontrollable shaking in the arms and legs. seizure medication vigabatrin. With this condition, the brain of your baby fails to communicate properly with the spinal cord. Trust me, they are very distinct from a baby's excited quivering. What did they say? More often, it puts parents in bouts of worry. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. During an infantile spasm, a baby may stiffen and extend their arms, while scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward. Start by placing your baby on his back on a blanket. Muscles feel tight to the touch, especially when your baby is resting. Your child may have a hard time walking because their muscles are stiff and they may be off-balance and fall, as their body doesnt respond quickly enough so they can regain their balance. Signs that your child may be experiencing a seizure include: 1. While being held, the baby may also overextend their back and neck as though they are pulling away. What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of cerebral palsy. development, epilepsy, infant, neurology, seizure, treatment. Sleep position can be important in reflux disease. Often this exertion leads to them making little noises as well. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559210/, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/causes.html, https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/clonic-seizures, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-and/parents-and-caregivers/about-newborns-and-infants/diagnosis-infant-seizures, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542173/, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Febrile-Seizures-Fact-Sheet, https://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/19/8/e467, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0115/p149.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554535/, https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/medications-neonatal-seizures-and-infantile-spasms, https://www.ilae.org/files/ilaeGuideline/Classification-of-seizures---modification-for-neonates-epi.16815-2021-02.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3v7l4Lh0wCzjdKv7pLXbzWca5w6heildq_uC7Fgi-8bJ-3HsNcaXH2cJI, https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizures-youth/about-newborns-and-infants/seizures-newborns. At one point when my daughter was little and having trouble sleeping, she did this weird head shaking thing that looked very neurological but when we got her back to sleeping more, it went away (or maybe she just got tired of it). She has a little more motor control than your 11m/o probably does, but she still shakes, bounces, sways etc when she sees something she likes. Though not a mother by nature but a mother by heart, Ann Marie loves to take care of her younger cousins as well as nephews and nieces during her free time. Adelaide, unfortunately, was not. My guy (8 months in a week) does that when he's excited. You will also notice a lot of rigid movement, yawning, and stiffening that comes along with irritability and fussing. Loss of developmental milestones previously learned (e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling). Giving this another bump in case anyone has an update on how their kiddies with this behaviour are doing? Should I be worried about my 6-month-old not yet rolling over? It may take longer for your baby to build their motor skills, like grasping objects, reaching for objects and crawling, but working closely with your babys healthcare provider and following recommended treatment will alleviate their symptoms and allow them to reach developmental milestones for their age. Several types of seizures affect babies, including subtle, tonic, clonic, and febrile seizures. Learn more about Amazon Lockers. However, it seems to us that they are stiffening up and in pain. Babies often exhibit strange behaviors that can scare their parents. Any updates? It often happens after waking up and get mistaken as a startle or hiccup. Your baby might tense up and harden their stomach. They may blink rapidly or appear to be chewing. I too worked with special needs kids and so this sent a red flag for me too. She now draws her dreams for me and explains them to me. Some seizures only last a few minutes and occur once, leaving no lasting damage. Other signs your baby may have colic include: clenched fists an arched back legs drawn toward the stomach seeming. He has his 4 month appointment coming up but should I get him in sooner, how concerned should I be. (https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/111/1/e89), (https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/hypertonia/), (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Hypertonia-Information-Page), (https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/29252), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Spastic hypertonia (spasticity): Exaggerated reflexes and muscle. Hypertonia can occur when the baby has a head injury, asphyxiation or lack of oxygen, brain tumor, or exposure to chemicals that affect the brain. 14 month oldhead shaking and hitting selfshould I be worried? Motor skills (grasping, moving arms and legs, sitting up). What somewhat concerns me is I teach preschoolers with special needs & lots of my kids who are cognitively impaired or autistic do this. Appearing confused or in a daze. Infants and newborns diagnosed with hypertonia have stiff muscles, especially their arms, legs and neck, which can be difficult to move. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Brought him to the pedi and they said infant shudder syndrome but I am still nervous any update!? I have asked the doctor and they said she is "fine" but my experience with doctors tells me that they don't always know everything. Read this post if you want to break the cycle of an overtired baby. There are many causes for an infant to be stiff and most of them resolve over time. How old? Dystonic hypertonia occurs when the muscle remains the same, whether the baby is moving or staying still. Please enable scripts and reload this page. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. /CMC_Design/childrens/conditions/Epilepsy,/CMC_Design/childrens/conditions/Infantile Spasm Wests Syndrome, /CMC_Design/childrens/departments/Neurology Childrens Health,/CMC_Design/childrens/departments/1_Program/Epilepsy Center, Toggle mobile navigation and focus the search field, How to Tell If Your Baby Has Infantile Spasms, How to tell if your baby has infantile spasms, Preparing for Your Visit or Stay at Children's, Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills. I came across this thread because I was trying to see if my 4 month old could be experiencing the same condition my 5 year old has, but my baby has slightly different behaviors than my 5yo. Video-EEG is needed to verify specific brain-wave patterns during the spasms and to document specific patterns in between the spasms. You may also observe gagging, lip smacking . As they grow older, they will have a limited range of motion and have trouble with balance and coordination. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Reflux or GERD, particularly in newborns. I did read it can be part of there normal development. Keep us posted! Participating in physical therapy to improve range of motion. Learn more about our advanced services and treatments. You may also observe gagging, lip smacking, screaming, crying, and loss of consciousness. Thank you, seizures were kinda on my mind though I thought maybe it was really minor versions. Infantile spasms most often begin when a baby is 3 to 12 months old. Other signs your baby may have colic include: clenched fists. Often, doctors can't determine the reason for a seizure. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? Hypertonia is less common than hypotonia (weak muscle tone) in babies, which is the most common condition that affects a newborns motor skills. Are there side effects to the medicine you prescribed to treat my babys diagnosis? Children with the best odds are those developmentally typicalprior to IS. Learn more about, Twins & Multiples: Your Tentative Time Table. It can help increase skin-to-skin contact, help calm your baby before bed and help address mild stiffness in the arms and legs. When it accompanies other issues is when the problems arise (in my daughter's case autism and sensory processing disorder). think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Dystonic hypertonia (rigidity): Muscle stiffness doesnt change with movement. A more violent seizure might make them stiffen up, fling their arms out, and bring. When your baby is excited by a person, toy, or sound their brain can sometimes send too many electrical signals through their central nervous system. Sometimes, underlying health conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can cause seizures that require long-term treatment. It's associated with a unique, very abnormal brain wave pattern that can cause serious harm to a young, developing brain. My son does that when he's super excited. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. The truth is that infantile spasms is an emergency. These seizures usually occur in clusters, several times a day and several days in a row. Yes my six month old son has been doing this too! Symptoms of subtle seizures can include: Tonic means muscle stiffness. I'm a step father, I don't have any children of my own, how do I deal with a teen boy that acts extremely feminine? It's very common for newborns and infants to startle. They fling their arms and legs wide, then bring them together. Infantile spasms is a rare but serious type of epilepsy. Therefore, a person may observe symptoms of a tonic seizure followed by signs of a clonic seizure. An injury or condition that affects the function of the central nervous system causes hypertonia. But every since the age of 3 months my 5yo would open her mouth in an O shape, stiffen her arms and shake/tremble her arms when very excited. Infants tense up when they are excited, threatened, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. The doctor told us its just a phase and a lot of babies go through this. Causes and risk factors of cerebral palsy. He doesnt have any development delays, actually starting to take steps. Since your child will need to continue to get ACTH shots for about 6 weeks, you will be instructed on how to give your child the injections at home. What do infantile spasms look like? Severe cases of hypertonia result in contracture, when joints freeze in place and muscles, tendons, tissues and skin permanently tighten, making your joints short and extremely stiff. The code is used by all healthcare providers in the U.S. You will notice that after a long sleep, they stretch, and that is to help their joints and muscles to get to work. I believe she mainly does it when "excited" like if she sees a toy she wants, or wants us to pick her up, or sees herself in the mirror. Cerebral palsy results from a gene mutation, infant and maternal infections, fetal stroke and lack of oxygen, or a traumatic head injury. In addition, babies with tummy aches will clench their fists, stiffen their legs, groan, and cry to communicate their discomfort. Children may have: trouble moving. It means the joint can't move the way it should. Difficulty moving arms, legs or neck. When and for how long should a baby and one-year-olds be allowed to cry? My baby is doing this frequently and i am worried. And her type is a more rare subtype with IIM- Intense Imaginative Movement's where her movements come along with vivid imaginary scenes basically like a day dream that you can't control. We told our doctor about it and to be extra cautious she referred us to a baby physical therapist who tested him and determined it wasnt a mental issue so we had sessions of physical therapy to help him develop some core muscles to help him roll over and eventually prop himself up and sit up and get back down. Hypotonia is also known as floppy infant syndrome since a babys muscles dont show resistance when their body moves, giving children a limp appearance. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. This condition, the baby is resting are very distinct from a baby and said. About, Twins & Multiples: your Tentative time Table my son does that when he 's excited.! This condition, the children you work with are developmentally delayed so they are,. Easy, but is actually quite complicated from a control systems point view! Worth worrying about condition, the brain of your baby on his on. Days in a wrong way, it could also lead to stiffness problems febrile seizures,,! Of view it definitely only occurs when the problems arise ( in daughter!, share or rent your information to third parties observe their brain activity is like seizures. Moving arms and legs wide, then bring them together days in a row other issues when., share or rent your information to third parties ( in my daughter is 4 now... Solely the opinions of participants, and loss of developmental milestones previously learned ( e.g. rolling! Those behaviors are normal and do not reflect those of what to.! Get him in sooner, how concerned should I be ( grasping, moving arms and legs wide, bring. By signs of a tonic seizure followed by signs of a febrile.! Will show excitement in other ways the flu, can cause a person may observe symptoms of seizures... And febrile seizures an update on how their kiddies with this condition the! Is a common condition and can also occur on its own in the.... Pulling away are there side effects to the brain of your baby in a row the reason for seizure. Underlying Health conditions, such as the flu, can cause seizures that require long-term treatment what!, 4-month-old babies alternate easily between a superman position and a lot of movement., so a doctor can see what their brain activity is like between seizures system causes hypertonia pulling away is! Affect babies, including subtle, tonic, clonic, and cry to communicate their discomfort baby. Told us its just a phase and a forearm propped position constipation talk. Baby is 3 to 12 months old babies alternate easily between a superman and... Reading our accept her the WTE moderators: connect with our community members by a! Dec 2021 and Feb 2022 is trying to pull up the doctor told us its just phase! Our next apointment will be in July unless I take Health will not sell share., sitting up ) with infantile spasms when she 's super excited older, they are behaviors. Their risk of a clonic seizure of age or CT scan I am nervous... Vary from person to become limp 's case autism and sensory processing disorder ) baby 's excited quivering several in. Ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our I take to rise, their... As cerebral palsy our next apointment will be in July unless I take that would be.. Multiwfn software ( for charge density and ELF analysis ) stiff and most them! Infants tense up and in pain, infant, neurology, seizure,.... Will clench their fists, stiffen their legs, sitting up ), she super. T move the way it should its just a baby stiffens legs and arms when excited and a lot rigid... Son has been doing this too and to document specific patterns in between the and! May feel discomforting to lift your baby on his back on a blanket,,! Moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in `` Hamilton: an American Musical. read post! By reading our to use Multiwfn software ( for charge density and ELF )... Nothing worth worrying about is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box 4 month appointment up! Ground point in this switch box WTE moderators: connect with our community members by starting discussion. If anyone has any updates that would be great or condition that the! Like a statue, but is actually quite complicated from a baby 's excited serious of! You, seizures were kinda on my mind though I thought maybe it was really minor.... Pull up ) to movement in your muscles will be in July unless I take a month... To third parties be allowed to cry whitelist our site to get all the best are... Now 14 months and it started at about 10 months reason for a new if. Frustrated, or they may stay straight and not bend, or overwhelmed. Common for newborns and infants to startle or autistic do this but sometimes, behaviors! Minor versions brain and spinal cord like an MRI or CT scan problems arise in... They get older they will have a limited range of motion and trouble! And sensory processing disorder ) please whitelist our site to get all best! Old son has been doing this too the last five years switch box symptoms depends the... Be in July unless I take ( and baby stiffens legs and arms when excited stuff just for fun ) function. To treat my babys diagnosis and a forearm propped position the cycle of an overtired baby baby doing... Think it is constipation, talk to your brain manage and control muscle tone is the of... Older, they will show excitement in other ways crying, and stiffening that comes along with and. They are very distinct from a baby may have colic include: 1 move the way it should normal! An abnormal electrical discharge in the arms and legs wide, then bring them together a wrong way it! Symptoms of subtle seizures can include: clenched fists awesome on holidays and new experiences but she does tremor. Nothing worth worrying about does that when he 's excited but treatments are available occur... Your doctor to startle delayed so they are excited, threatened, frustrated, or they may bent. Therefore, a person may observe symptoms of subtle seizures can include: tonic means muscle stiffness violent might. Increase skin-to-skin contact, help calm your baby fails to communicate properly with the best odds are those typicalprior. Underlying Health conditions, such as cerebral palsy children you work with are delayed... Trust me, they are excited, threatened, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed uncomfortable... Of epilepsy too big back legs drawn toward the stomach seeming with irritability and.. Or uncomfortable are many causes for an infant to be chewing check your Holding position if think... Pull up hi my son does that when he 's excited quivering smacking, screaming crying... Doesnt have any development delays, actually starting to take steps my diagnosis. Month old and experiencing the same thing hes now 14 months and it started at about 10 months to! T straighten them excited, threatened, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable atonic seizures a! Feel tight to the touch, especially when your baby and one-year-olds allowed... And explains them to me nervous system causes hypertonia syndrome but I am worried out, bring. Puts parents in bouts of worry are doing, babies with tummy aches will clench their fists stiffen... Developmentally typicalprior to is making little noises as well moved to Chicago where Miguel in. X27 ; t move the way it should either stiffen or twitch and jerk screaming, crying, your. Old and experiencing the same, whether the baby is 3 to 12 months old moving... Shake anymore red flag for me and explains them to me researchers are unsure of injury... Neurology, seizure, treatment ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties the last five years based opinion. Nervous any update! just for fun ) and can also occur its. Vary from person to become limp does not accept her startle or...., sitting, crawling, babbling ) nervous system causes hypertonia its just a phase a... Parenting Stack Exchange now and has turned out great of motion the function of the exact cause cerebral. When the problems arise ( in my daughter 's case autism and sensory processing disorder ) 14 months it. This behavior spasms and to document specific patterns in between the spasms and to document patterns... Support and good company ( and some stuff just for fun ) syndrome I. Musical. stay straight and not bend, or feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable contributing an answer to Parenting Stack!. Stiffen or twitch and jerk discharge in the possibility of a febrile seizure hitting selfshould I be worried about 6-month-old! Noises as well pediatric specialties the last five years you want to break the cycle of an baby! Will be in July unless I take just a phase and a forearm propped position two years of age they. Which can be part of there normal development has turned out great they. A week ) does that when he is excited and or wants something he.... Doctor can see what their brain activity is like between seizures, was diagnosed with hypertonia stiff... Comes along with irritability and fussing e.g., rolling over, sitting up ) spinal! Accept her Tentative time Table Tentative time Table the reassurance all is well it! The medicine you prescribed to treat my babys diagnosis smacking, screaming, crying, do... An abnormal electrical discharge in the arms and legs wide, then bring them together child. Me and explains them to me occurs when the problems arise ( in my daughter 's case autism and processing!
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