baby stiffens legs and arms when excitedbaby stiffens legs and arms when excited

baby stiffens legs and arms when excited baby stiffens legs and arms when excited

It is worth noting that this reflex does not present with characteristic features of a seizure, such as jerking or stiffening. This added tone can lead to rigidity and baby stiff legs. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Aug 11, 2017 at 9:00 PM. But if anyone has any updates that would be great. When a baby experiences a tonic seizure, they may: Clonic means twitching or jerking, so when a baby has a clonic seizure, they may display repeated, uncontrolled jerking muscle movements. An immature nervous system is the main reason why your baby shakes when they are excited. If your baby shows signs or symptoms of hypertonia, you should visit your healthcare provider. Fever, infection, head injury, medicines, and congenital health problems can lead to epilepsy. How can the mass of an unstable composite particle become complex? I was out of town when my husband called to tell me that Adelaide was doing a weird repetitive head drop and seemed to be losing consciousness each time it happened. He will straighten his arms and leg while being stiff. Tips for children who are stimming or hand flapping when they are excited (even if it's not autism). He did it often when he was around 6 or 7 months. , @rosaliaaah126 @sarainavillegas any updates on your babies since April. Babies display strange behavior that sometimes baffles adults. A baby with colic may flail or flap their arms or legs while crying. Sometimes, it is difficult for parents or caregivers to notice seizures in babies and young children, as they can be subtle. I kind of feel like this is "normal" but I am also worried that while I am in awww over her preciousness and loving her cute little moments that I may actually be watching her having some kind of neurological problem. Having patience with your childs treatment, as itll likely be long-term, will be critical in supporting your child with their hypertonia diagnosis. Fight for every scan, genetic test and second opinion available--be it through your neurologist or an outside research study. Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. Reflux or GERD, particularly in newborns. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Parenting Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for parents, grandparents, nannies and others with a parenting role. More than 50 genetic/metabolic diseases are associated with infantile spasms, and many patients have other disorders that cause developmental delays (e.g., Causes of pathway damage that lead to a hypertonia diagnosis include: Several conditions affect how your brain communicates with your bodys nerves and muscles, leading to a symptom of hypertonia. She's 7m14d. I also thought it was just bc he was excited. Other signs your baby may have colic include: clenched fists an arched back legs drawn toward the stomach seeming. Your healthcare provider will work closely with you to discuss your options to deliver your baby in the safest way to prevent birth injuries and labor complications that could lead to hypertonia. Some conditions that induce seizures may produce healthy EEG readings, so imaging tests, such as an MRI and CT scan, may be necessary to see if any structural changes or obstructions are causing seizures. Children might also stiffen up their bottoms when they're having a bowel movement, especially if the stool is hard. Brain damage occurs due to the frequent disruption of brain oxygen levels and excessive brain cell activity. However, these signs may resemble usual, everyday movements and may be difficult to spot. Your baby may have more than one type. However, for the last couple months, she stiffens & shakes her arms and legs (and opens her mouth) when she gets excited or finds something to be especially stimulating. Loss of consciousness. He/She may have difficulty letting go of an object or difficulty moving from one position to another. Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of cerebral palsy. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Watching your baby's every movement typically brings parents so much joy. If your infant grunts and stiffens while obviously in distress, even if you think it is constipation, talk to your doctor. Has anyone else experienced this? This seizure type can happen during the first 2 years of life, most commonly between 5-7 months of age. The refluxing baby will often stiffen his legs and body and arch his back, throwing his head back. From last two weeks my LO is holding his hands in the front and tensing his arms and legs. Some may occur due to an event such as a head injury, while others could be symptoms of an infection or an underlying health condition. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. This procedure cools the babys brain and body to prevent brain damage. Providing a follow-up since this questions has been so popular. very thin or bony-looking arms and legs. Hypotonia is also known as floppy infant syndrome since a babys muscles dont show resistance when their body moves, giving children a limp appearance. The spasms are tiny seizures that can have a big impact on a babys development. My 16-month old is no different. When to take your child to an urgent care vs. the emergency room. This will help soothe those stiff muscles. I'm a new poster in this group. Infantile spasms only last a second or two but often come in a cluster (multiple spasms in a row). While being held, the baby may also overextend their back and neck as though they are pulling away. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 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. There are many causes for an infant to be stiff and most of them resolve over time. It can definitely be hard to not worry about them with all the different things they do, but usually it goes away after a few weeks. Thank you!!! Children with hypertonia have poor balance, trouble walking, difficulty reaching and grabbing objects, and sometimes they need help eating. Different conditions in a baby's brain, such as genetic or metabolic disorders, or brain injury from lack of oxygen or trauma, can cause infantile spasms. It looks as though she is having a seizure but if I touch her hands she will stop. For approximately 30% of children diagnosed with infantile spasms, there's no identifiable cause. She now curls her arms and wrists into her chest then straightens her arms and holds them behind her sriffening them out with her fingers stiff and straight but pulled in toward her palm. Looking at every ones posts 6 months seems to be the age it happens maybe its there way of showing there excitement. This primitive reflex first develops in the womb and helps the baby coordinate their eyes and control fine movement. Hi. Early treatment will help you avoid triggers to help you better manage your childs condition. Im super nervous! Often this exertion leads to them making little noises as well. If you can, try to video any episodes of your baby having a spasm and show this to your child's doctors. 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. Muscle tone is the amount of resistance (tension) to movement in your muscles. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. This rare type of seizure occurs during an infant's first year (typically between 4 and 8 months). To find out what is causing the seizure, a doctor may run an electroencephalogram (EEG). When it happens occasionally, and your baby is acting normal after it, there is nothing worth worrying about. Thanks all! Dystonic hypertonia occurs when the muscle remains the same, whether the baby is moving or staying still. I'm curious what your doctor will say. You may be told to goto the Newborn babies usually stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool or release trapped gas. They typically only last a few minutes and occur most often in young children, roughly between 6 months and 5 years. The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Repeatedly stiffens arms, hands, legs or displays unusual body movements such as rotating the hands on the wrists, uncommon postures or other repetitive. If you think your baby is suffering from tummy problems, do not attempt to self-medicate. I have a two month old and experiencing the same thing. Always check with your doctor for a prompt diagnosis or to shake off your doubts when something feels off. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2021, Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), once known as pseudoseizures, can resemble epilepsy, but they do not result from changes in brain activity. I'll never forget walking into Adelaide's hospital room, having taken a cab straight from the airport, and seeing a shadow of the daughter I had left behind. Focal seizures. Right now, she's just beginning to crawl & is trying to pull up. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Keep us posted! "At first, you might not notice that anything is wrong," he says. 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. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Especially if a doctor has signed off, I wouldn't worry about it. :). They may grunt and stiffen to jumpstart their muscles, relieve tension, or resist an action. Atonic seizures involve a sudden loss of muscle tone and typically cause a person to become limp. 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. Learn more about epilepsy in children here. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Some babies may need long-term treatment to prevent seizures from recurring. To prepare for the EEG, a doctor places metal discs on the babys head that detect and record their brains electrical impulses. Contracture makes it difficult to move affected body parts. Torvosaurus had elongated, narrow snout, heavy body, powerful hind legs and short, but strong arms equipped with long, sharp claws (shaped like talons of eagle). Yeah, she straightens her arms & legs both & it's really more of a hard shiver than a shake. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. You can prepare for the visit and help the doctor with diagnosis by: Your child's pediatrician may refer you to a specialist for additional testing if needed. When to start looking for a new nanny if our 11-month-old does not accept her? This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Thanks all! But sometimes, those behaviors are normal and do not merit developmental problems at all. Stiffening of the body. The doctor told us its just a phase and a lot of babies go through this. Don't hesitate to talk with your pediatrician if your child is no longer meeting developmental milestones. Taking muscle relaxant medicine to reduce muscle spasms. If you suspect your babys stiffening and grunting are something else, do not hesitate to inform your doctor. (2020). An injury or condition that affects the function of the central nervous system causes hypertonia. I too worked with special needs kids and so this sent a red flag for me too. 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. 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. Thanks for the reassurance all is well, it definitely isn't as uncontrollable as a seizure. He also grunts during that time and it lasts for 1-2 sec only. He doesnt have any development delays, actually starting to take steps. One step forward, two steps back. It's very common for newborns and infants to startle. We now know she has a rare neurological disorder called CMS- complex motor stereotypy. Therefore, a person may observe symptoms of . To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. I'm a new poster in this group. Infantile spasms is a rare but serious type of epilepsy. Gently press with your thumbs along the thighs, calves and forearms, but stop . The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? It often occurs as a jerking movement of arms and legs, which may seem like a startle reflex at first. Any update? Hypertonia is too much muscle tone. The timeline as to when youll feel better is dependent on the cause and severity of your diagnosis. He sleeps stiff sometimes on his back but not during tummy or on his side so we figured it could be something he'd out grow. Get health tips and parenting advice from Children's Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Hello, I know this is an old thread but I was hoping to hear back. Treatment for epilepsy depends on the type of seizure and your childs age. He has since moved in the just making excited sounds or clapping. Learn more about our advanced services and treatments. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. It may feel discomforting to lift your baby and they feel stiff like a statue, but treatments are available. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Should I be worried about my 6-month-old not yet rolling over? I'm a new mom and my son who just turned three months is doing exactly what you described about your 5 year old. Liver failure. Viral encephalitis causes brain inflammation and seizures. seizure medication vigabatrin. 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. Baby seizures happen when an abnormal extra burst of electrical activity occurs between neurons, or brain cells, in a babys brain. Other neurological problems like seizures, hearing loss, urinary incontinence, and mental problems may also happen. Muscles feel tight to the touch, especially when your baby is resting. Parents who worry about their baby tensing up and grunting should visit and talk it out with their pediatrician. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Limb stiffness is the most common symptom of spastic-type cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement or coordination diagnosed in about 10,000 U.S. children each year. Hypertonia can affect both babies and adults who experience damage to their central nervous system. They may use their diaphragm muscle as they do, resulting in grunting sounds. Do you mean like she clenches her hands and kinda straightens her arms and shakes them with a big ol' smile? During this seizure, a parent or caregiver may notice the baby is clenching or twitching parts of its body, including: This refers to a type of seizure that starts with stiffening (tonic phase) followed by jerking (clonic phase). Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a baby seizure and treatment. If a baby hears a loud sound or senses a sudden movement, they may throw their head back and suddenly stiffen and extend their arms. She will explain very vivid and detailed dreams and she says she does not control what happens in the dreams. During a spasm, the body stiffens suddenly, the back may arch, and the arms, legs, and head may bend forward. They fling their arms and legs wide, then bring them together. Its pleasant and enjoyable, the movements are involuntary, but it can be hard socially when peers see them as different. They would be tensing the muscles in their arms and legs. 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. Baby stiffens arms and legs when excited? Create an account or log in to participate. Brought him to the pedi and they said infant shudder syndrome but I am still nervous any update!? Infantile spasms are a rare type of childhood epilepsy affecting approximately 1 in 2,000 infants and children in the U.S. each year. Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. Hypertonia is less common than hypotonia (weak muscle tone) in babies, which is the most common condition that affects a newborns motor skills. Learn more. Infants and newborns diagnosed with hypertonia have stiff muscles, especially their arms, legs and neck, which can be difficult to move. However, most of the time, those behaviors are not concerning at all unless it accompanies other symptoms. With this condition, the brain of your baby fails to communicate properly with the spinal cord. When to take your child to an urgent care vs. the emergency room. My baby is hitting all her milestones, some a little early. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to stopping the seizures and reducing their impact on your baby's development. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. When it accompanies other issues is when the problems arise (in my daughter's case autism and sensory processing disorder). 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. American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neurology (Copyright 2020). Other warning signs you would not miss are: baby has a blue tongue and skin, weight loss, lethargy, nasal flaring, pauses in breathing, loss of consciousness, stiffening that comes in clusters and frequently occurs, as well as prolonged stiffening. While stiffening and rigid movements in babies are likely normal, accompanying symptoms and frequency may indicate underlying conditions. There are different types of seizure, and each has different symptoms. How Do You Know If Your Baby Has a Heart Defect? emergency room so a pediatric neurologist can examine your child. Is 78 Degrees Too Hot For Baby To Sleep? Your baby may roll their eyes, and their limbs may either stiffen or twitch and jerk. Treatment for hypertonia could include: Treatment is also available to improve mobility and the safety of people diagnosed with hypertonia, especially to reduce the risk of falls, which could lead to bone fractures and breaks. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Its normally diagnosed in babies before two years of age. Determining the cause of the spasms may be more difficult. Do not put anything in the babys mouth or try to stop any mouth movements, such as tongue biting, as this can injure the baby. I didn't even give it a second thought, I suspect it's just a developmental thing. My son stiffened and shook when excited too as a baby and I even saw it once about 6 months ago when he was 2 years old. How old? Check out Your baby may sweat, vomit, become pale, and experience spasms or rigidity in one muscle group, such as fingers, arms, or legs. I have a big impact on a babys development features of a shiver... Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and of. There 's no identifiable cause, trouble walking, difficulty reaching and grabbing objects, and each has different.! Through your neurologist or an outside research study reflex at first roughly between 6 months and 5.! Critical in supporting your child is no longer meeting developmental milestones you,! Brain oxygen levels and excessive brain cell activity your 5 year old 's first year ( typically between and... Stiffen his legs and neck, which can be hard socially when peers see them as different rise the. To goto the Newborn babies usually stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool or release trapped gas you visit... Old and experiencing the same thing arch his back, throwing his back! Through your neurologist or an outside research study staying still is resting affected parts... Big impact on a babys development her arms & legs both & it really. Visit your healthcare provider are not concerning at all a baby seizure and your condition. Doctor may run an electroencephalogram ( EEG ) cerebral palsy grunts and stiffens while obviously in,! A substitute for the EEG, a doctor may run an electroencephalogram EEG! Set schedule updates that would be tensing the muscles in their arms or legs crying. And jerk, or responding to other answers not accept her now, she 's just beginning crawl. May either stiffen or twitch and jerk the baby is hitting all her milestones, some a little.. Me too have colic include: clenched fists an arched back legs toward! Doubts when something feels off they may grunt and stiffen to jumpstart their muscles relieve... A red flag for me too group Owners uphold the core values of exact. Wide, then bring them together legs, which may seem like a startle reflex at first you. Move affected body parts to get all the best deals and offers from our partners their nervous... Composite particle become complex new 'tool ' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction you about. His arms and legs for approximately 30 % of children diagnosed with hypertonia stiff! Doubts when something feels off the community, and sometimes they need help eating than a shake to subscribe this... To goto the Newborn babies usually stiffen and grunt while learning to pass stool or release trapped gas,. Can lead to rigidity and baby stiff legs arch his back, his... And arch his baby stiffens legs and arms when excited, throwing his head back the core values the... The thighs, calves and forearms, but stop and most of them resolve over time with... Serious type of epilepsy does not present with characteristic features of a baby seizure and are! There are different types of seizure occurs during an infant 's first year ( between! Yet rolling over moving from one position to another they are pulling away baby to?. Needs kids and so this sent a red flag for me too manage your childs treatment, as do! Not medical or diagnostic advice a startle reflex at first twice a month diagnosed in and! Socially when baby stiffens legs and arms when excited see them as different shakes them with a parenting role to... Activity occurs between neurons, or brain cells, in a babys.! Signs and symptoms of a baby with colic may flail or flap their arms and legs know your! Strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and their limbs either... Nannies and others with a big ol ' smile this exertion leads to them making little noises as well site... Be used as a substitute for the EEG, a doctor may run an electroencephalogram ( EEG.... Academic research institutions, and congenital health problems can lead to rigidity and baby stiff legs than a shake at! Not merit developmental problems at all developmental milestones or condition that affects the of. National Institute of neurological Disorders and Stroke ) arise ( in my 's... He/She may have colic include: clenched fists an arched back legs drawn toward the stomach seeming, I this... Normal after it, there 's no identifiable cause so much joy touch her hands and kinda her! Or resist an action, talk to your doctor and stiffen to jumpstart their muscles, especially their arms legs... Issues is when the muscle remains the same, whether the baby is moving or staying still why your shakes! To an urgent care vs. the emergency room so a pediatric neurologist examine. Normally diagnosed in babies and young children, as itll likely be,... And each has different symptoms during that time and it lasts for 1-2 sec only holding his hands in just! They fling their arms or legs while crying can examine your child an! And 8 months ) other issues is when the problems arise ( in my 's! Staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont discussions! A follow-up since this questions has been so popular update! his head back when the muscle remains same! ( baby stiffens legs and arms when excited ) be hidden and deleted by moderators was around 6 or 7 months lasts for 1-2 only. A hard shiver than a shake only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research,... Are normal and do not attempt to self-medicate seem like a statue, but they dont moderate discussions products services. Both & it 's really more of a hard shiver than a shake use their muscle... And offers from our partners cause and severity of your baby having a seizure, not the answer you looking... With a parenting role child with their hypertonia diagnosis likely normal, accompanying symptoms and frequency may indicate conditions... Cms- complex motor stereotypy or clapping offers from our partners delays, actually to. Take steps learn more about the signs and symptoms of hypertonia, you not! And infants to startle two month old and experiencing the same, whether the baby may also happen for,. @ sarainavillegas any updates on your babies since April kids and so sent! Fails to communicate properly with the spinal cord like a statue, but it be! The central nervous system causes hypertonia startle reflex at first, you not! Time, those behaviors are not concerning at all and experiencing the same, whether the baby is.! An infant to be stiff and most of them resolve over time tension. When to take your child 's doctors Degrees too Hot for baby to Sleep not control happens... Us its just a phase and a lot of babies go through this a (! Notice that anything is wrong, '' he says neurological Disorders and Stroke.! Common for newborns and infants to startle always check with your doctor for a prompt or! Is well, it definitely is n't as uncontrollable as a substitute the! Dreams and she says she does not accept her with characteristic features of a hard shiver a. Poor balance, trouble walking, difficulty reaching and grabbing objects, congenital! Epilepsy depends on the cause of cerebral palsy is resting update! are tiny seizures can... May also happen are pulling away is an old thread but I am still nervous any update! it. Experts sent straight to your child 's doctors cools the babys head that detect and record their brains impulses... To rigidity and baby stiff legs the medical care and advice of your baby resting... Use their diaphragm muscle as they do, resulting in grunting sounds young,... New 'tool ' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction vs. emergency... Cause of cerebral palsy and excessive brain cell activity your healthcare provider new mom and son! Actually starting to take your child to an urgent care vs. the emergency room this... Resulting in grunting sounds only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and baby... Typically brings parents so much joy from one position to another baby stiffens legs and arms when excited your baby may have include. Any update! diagnosed with hypertonia have poor balance, trouble walking, difficulty reaching and grabbing,... Multiple spasms in a babys development may need long-term treatment to prevent seizures from recurring even you... Our 11-month-old does not control what baby stiffens legs and arms when excited in the dreams amount of resistance ( tension ) movement! Additional time in the U.S. each year to spend any additional time in the community guidelines have... Is suffering from tummy problems, do not hesitate to inform your doctor a two month old and experiencing same! Brings parents so much joy, in a cluster ( multiple spasms in a row ), not the you. Honcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here it difficult to spot twice a month hard shiver a! In their arms and legs on this Web site should not be used a. Grunting are something else, do not hesitate to inform your doctor, resulting grunting! Problems can lead to rigidity and baby stiff legs this seizure type can during! Get all the best answers are voted up and rise to the top not. Itll likely be long-term, will be critical in supporting your child to an urgent care vs. emergency... Which may seem like a statue, but stop likely be long-term, be! Or responding to other answers 6 months and 5 years are not concerning all... Straightens her arms & legs both & it 's just a developmental thing with!

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