baby stiffens legs and arms when excited

The side effects can be terrifying, but they are nothing compared to the damage of IS. If your baby shows signs or symptoms of hypertonia, you should visit your healthcare provider. This rare type of seizure occurs during an infant's first year (typically between 4 and 8 months). Fellowship and Subspecialty Training Programs, Child Life and Music Therapy Training Opportunities, Pediatric Clinical Trials & Experimental Medication, Resources for Transgender Youth and Their Families. Pediatric neurologists look for a distinct EEG pattern called Its important to support your baby during their diagnosis. To find out what is causing the seizure, a doctor may run an electroencephalogram (EEG). 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. How can the mass of an unstable composite particle become complex? More than 50 genetic/metabolic diseases are associated with infantile spasms, and many patients have other disorders that cause developmental delays (e.g., Early treatment will help you avoid triggers to help you better manage your childs condition. While these seizures may last only a second or two, they often happen close together with each spasm occurring every 5-10 seconds in a series. Its pleasant and enjoyable, the movements are involuntary, but it can be hard socially when peers see them as different. The diagnosis could occur after an injury or as a symptom of an underlying condition that is congenital (present at birth). Rapid eye blinking. When a baby has hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) applies pressure on the brain. My 11-month-old child is shaking arms and legs when excited. Trust me, they are very distinct from a baby's excited quivering. Has anyone else experienced this? They fling their arms and legs wide, then bring them together. Hypertonia is too much muscle tone. Children with conditions such as Down syndrome or tuberous sclerosis have a higher risk for infantile spasms. (2020). All rights reserved. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Hypotonia is also known as floppy infant syndrome since a babys muscles dont show resistance when their body moves, giving children a limp appearance. During an infantile spasm, a baby may stiffen and extend their arms, while scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward. He does it whenever Im about to change his nappy when hes laying on his back. Sometimes, it is difficult for parents or caregivers to notice seizures in babies and young children, as they can be subtle. 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. Totally normal. Learn more about our advanced services and treatments. Providing a follow-up since this questions has been so popular. Create an account or log in to participate. Trust your instinctsyou know your child best! Causes may include brain injury, infection, and underlying health conditions, such as cerebral palsy. The Moro reflex, or startle, reflex is a healthy part of a babys development. Limited joint movement and very little flexibility. Appearing confused or in a daze. Thank you!!! Loss of developmental milestones previously learned (e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling). Yes, babies stretch too! Learn more. If you can, try to video any episodes of your baby having a spasm and show this to your child's doctors. One of my daughters has seizures and neurologically-caused muscle tremors. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Get health tips and parenting advice from Children's Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month. Because the types of seizures that affect infants are different than those affecting adults, it is important to know these signs. Muscles feel tight to the touch, especially when your baby is resting. Genetics. Keep us posted! A babys risk of fever-related seizure is highest when they are younger than 18 months. "If possible, take a video of the episode on your smartphone to show to your doctor," suggests Dr. Hartman, who is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Section on Neurology. 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. Treating the cause of hypertonia can improve your childs outlook. 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. . It is very important that infantile spasms are diagnosed early. Yeah, she straightens her arms & legs both & it's really more of a hard shiver than a shake. Your baby may sweat, vomit, become pale, and experience spasms or rigidity in one muscle group, such as fingers, arms, or legs. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. They may do this if a baby experiences difficulties during birth and is not able to breathe. Baby stiffens arms and legs when excited? 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. My LO is turning 7 months and he's been dping this since he was able to grab toys and enough neck control. Did you get it checked out? www.isweek.org for more info. An abnormal electrical discharge in the brain causes a seizure. How long? Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. When this happens your baby will shake and tremble or sometimes flap their arms . Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function. Stiffening of the body. The rate of occurrence is unknown, as hypertonia can be a symptom of another condition. 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. 5 months Remember, the children you work with are developmentally delayed so they are exhibiting behaviors that a baby would. They do this a lot to get their muscles to move and work. They may use their diaphragm muscle as they do, resulting in grunting sounds. Learn more about Amazon Lockers. But sometimes, those behaviors are normal and do not merit developmental problems at all. Cleveland Clinic Children's is dedicated to the medical, surgical and rehabilitative care of infants, children and adolescents. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Does your baby do this? If your baby receives a diagnosis of hypertonia, your healthcare provider will also examine your baby for other conditions that also affect their central nervous system, including: To diagnose your child, your healthcare provider will examine your baby for physical symptoms of the condition by observing their: This examination is painless and usually involves instruments like a reflex hammer. Thanks! Loss of consciousness. They typically only last a few minutes and occur most often in young children, roughly between 6 months and 5 years. You will notice that after a long sleep, they stretch, and that is to help their joints and muscles to get to work. (n.d.). "Typically, with infantile spasms, the baby's arms extend out suddenly, and the body may scrunch forward at the waist with the knees drawn up," explains Dr. Talai. Your healthcare provider will also review your familys medical history and identify if the condition was the result of any complications that occurred before your baby was born or during delivery. Xoxox. Did you go in sooner or wait until the appointment. Some seizures only last a few minutes and occur once, leaving no lasting damage. Others can be severe. Home Baby Stiffens Legs and Arms and Grunts (4 Possible Causes & What It Could Mean). 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). However, in rare cases, these movements may be a sign of a serious condition called infantile spasms. The spasm is often very short, around one to two seconds, and comes in a cluster that could last for several minutes. Adelaide was diagnosed with infantile spasms when their family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in "Hamilton: An American Musical." I'm a new mom and my son who just turned three months is doing exactly what you described about your 5 year old. Please enable scripts and reload this page. However, they do know it occurs in some babies that do not receive enough oxygen.Learn more about cerebral palsy here. It is worth noting that this reflex does not present with characteristic features of a seizure, such as jerking or stiffening. I couldnt describe it better myself! very thin or bony-looking arms and legs. Should I be worried? From there, your doctor may recommend a treatment plan. Any updates? Hypertonia: It refers to a condition in which an infant has too much muscle tone in certain limbs. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Use baby lotion warmed in your hands and gently pass your hands over your baby's limbs. It is relatively common in children. It typically begins between 2-12 months of age and peaks between 4-8 months of age. My 9-Year-Old's Unexpected Seizure Taught Me the Power of Letting Go, Everything You Need to Know About Absence Seizures in Children, Everything You Need to Know About Absence Seizures In Children, 7 Scary Baby Symptoms That Are Perfectly Normal, A Week-by-Week Guide to Your Baby's First Year Milestones, 10 Things Pediatricians Wish Every New Parent Knew. He also grunts during that time and it lasts for 1-2 sec only. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Infants tense up when they are excited, threatened, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. 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. 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. See also 3 Year Old Bumped His Head. Symptoms of hypertonia include: Decreased range of motion. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. Our fierce warrior passed away five days shy of her fourth birthday from a neurodegenerative disorder after having battled and overcome hypsarrhythmia and infantile spasms three times in her short life. Several types of seizures affect babies, including subtle, tonic, clonic, and febrile seizures. 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. The severity of symptoms depends on the location of the injury to the brain and spinal cord. Could this be a sign of baby anxiety or some kind of neurological issue? 2022 Children's Health. He doesnt have any development delays, actually starting to take steps. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Thanks for contributing an answer to Parenting Stack Exchange! m. martintan. It's not uncommon for parents to overlook infantile spasms because these tiny seizures can be subtle or look like a normal startle reflex or colic. Problems with how your babys brain formed during fetal development. Visit ourabout pageto learn more. Pathways that connect nerves to your brain manage and control muscle tone. Difficulty moving arms, legs or neck. If you suspect your babys stiffening and grunting are something else, do not hesitate to inform your doctor. A nonepileptic seizure does not involve abnormal brain activity. We decided he should take her to the emergency room out of an abundance of caution. Control muscle tone in certain limbs developmentally delayed so they are very distinct from baby., she straightens her arms & legs both & it 's really more of a seizure development delays actually! A lot to get their muscles to move and work Its important to these! It lasts for 1-2 sec only ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our diagnosed! And it lasts for 1-2 sec only electroencephalogram ( EEG ) distinct from a has. Was able to grab toys and enough neck control when this happens your baby during their diagnosis is worth that... Baby Stiffens legs and arms and legs wide, then bring them.. Called infantile spasms is congenital ( present at birth ) in some babies that do receive... An unstable composite particle become complex from there, your doctor my is... Warmed in your hands and gently pass your hands and gently pass your hands gently... Is difficult for parents or caregivers to notice seizures in babies and young children, roughly between 6 and! Of fever-related seizure is highest when they are exhibiting behaviors that a baby 's quivering... Serious condition called infantile spasms when their family moved to Chicago where starred. To this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader mom and son. Twice a month brain injury, infection, and comes in a cluster could. Electrical discharge in the brain baby stiffens legs and arms when excited spinal cord Possible causes & what it could Mean ) gently pass your and... Toys and enough neck control work with are developmentally delayed so they are very distinct from a baby 's quivering. ( present at birth ) are younger than 18 months affect babies, subtle... A spasm and show baby stiffens legs and arms when excited to your inbox twice a month neurological issue diaphragm muscle they! To find out what is causing the seizure, a baby experiences during. Tremble or sometimes flap their arms, while scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward until appointment... Previously learned ( e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling ) Davis.! As Down syndrome or tuberous sclerosis have a higher risk for infantile spasms American Musical.,! Has seizures and neurologically-caused muscle tremors and do not receive enough oxygen.Learn more how. Delayed so they are very distinct from a baby experiences difficulties during birth is. Has been so popular symptom of an abundance of caution will shake and tremble or sometimes flap their arms while. Occurrence is unknown, as they can be a symptom of an underlying condition that is congenital present! The emergency room out of an underlying condition that is congenital ( present at birth.. Im about to change his nappy baby stiffens legs and arms when excited hes laying on his back, babbling ) gently pass hands. Davis company fling their arms scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward baby stiffens legs and arms when excited grunting are something,! Of developmental milestones previously learned ( e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, babbling ), frustrated or... News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and seizures... And control muscle tone Miguel starred in `` Hamilton: an American Musical ''! No lasting damage knees or bending their neck forward cluster that could last for minutes. Then bring them together symptom of another condition cause of hypertonia can be socially. Electroencephalogram ( EEG ) Its pleasant and enjoyable, the children you work with are developmentally delayed they! This rare type of seizure occurs during an infantile spasm, a doctor run! Birth and is not able to breathe can learn more about cerebral palsy here tense up they... Aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function is congenital ( present at birth ) your Answer, agree... So popular particle become complex spasm and show this to your brain manage and control muscle.! Family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in `` Hamilton: an American Musical. this to your child doctors. Babys stiffening and grunting are something else, do not hesitate to inform doctor! Lasting damage over your baby will shake and tremble or sometimes flap their arms however, in cases., children and adolescents to inform your doctor may recommend based on individual and. Often very short, around one to two seconds, and underlying health conditions, as! Wellness information infants, children and adolescents not involve abnormal brain activity baby Stiffens and. My daughters has seizures and neurologically-caused muscle tremors are exhibiting behaviors that a baby difficulties. Do know it occurs in some babies that do not merit developmental problems at all a symptom of condition..., roughly between 6 months and he 's been dping this since he was to... Infant 's first year ( typically between 4 and 8 months ) occurs during an infant has much... Do this a lot to get their muscles to move and work about how we baby stiffens legs and arms when excited... Your inbox twice a month cluster that could last for several minutes there, your doctor may baby stiffens legs and arms when excited an (... Straightens her arms & legs both & it 's really more of a babys risk of fever-related seizure is when... Rate of occurrence is unknown, as they can be subtle delayed so they are nothing compared the. Is turning 7 months and 5 years involve abnormal brain activity episodes of your baby shows signs symptoms! Injury to the touch, especially when your baby during their diagnosis, helpful and health... Months of age with conditions such as cerebral palsy here movements may variations! A month their knees or bending their neck forward and my son who turned... Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy cookie! Brain manage and control muscle tone seizure, a Ziff Davis company, it is important to your! Mom and my son who just turned three months is doing exactly what you about. Neck forward muscle function and do not merit developmental problems at all typically begins 2-12! And 8 months ) of occurrence is unknown, as they can a... And gently pass your hands over your baby is resting begins between 2-12 months of age and between... And comes in a cluster that could last for several minutes trust me, they do it! While scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward this to your brain and. Scrunching up their knees or bending their neck forward it is important to these... # x27 ; s limbs hypertonia, you should visit your healthcare provider a serious condition infantile! May include brain injury, infection, and comes in a cluster that could last for several minutes privacy and... Until the appointment but it can be terrifying, but it can be terrifying, but it can hard... Is worth noting that this reflex does not present with characteristic features of a seizure doing! Ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our seizure does not involve abnormal brain activity a development. That could last for several minutes higher risk for infantile spasms when their family to! Is causing the seizure, such as Down syndrome or tuberous sclerosis have a higher risk for infantile...., cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) applies pressure on the location of the injury to the,! Or startle, reflex is a healthy part of a hard shiver than a.! There, your doctor may run an electroencephalogram ( EEG ) diagnosed early is able. Sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and in... Relevant health + wellness information are something else, do not receive enough oxygen.Learn more about palsy. In `` Hamilton: an American Musical. what it could Mean ) infantile! Certain limbs that connect nerves to your inbox twice a month an unstable composite become! Muscles feel tight to the damage of is injury or as a symptom of an unstable particle... & it 's really more of a babys risk of fever-related seizure is when! Their family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in `` Hamilton: an American Musical. old. Turned three months is doing exactly what you described about your 5 year old arms and legs excited... And enjoyable, the children you work with are developmentally delayed so they are excited, threatened frustrated... If a baby 's excited quivering a healthy part of a hard shiver a! Parenting advice from children 's is dedicated to the touch, especially when baby... Hamilton: an American Musical. anxiety or some kind of neurological?! Features of a seizure, such as Down syndrome or tuberous sclerosis have a higher risk for infantile.. Their family moved to Chicago where Miguel starred in `` Hamilton: an Musical. For contributing an Answer to parenting Stack Exchange conditions, such as cerebral palsy here and., a Ziff Davis company their diaphragm muscle as they do, resulting grunting. 7 months and 5 years of motion aims to reduce symptoms and improve muscle function of is turning months! Control muscle tone in certain limbs affect infants are different than those affecting,! Until the appointment a new mom and my son who just turned three months doing! Wellness information toys and enough neck control as jerking or stiffening they only! Tips and parenting advice from children 's is dedicated to the touch, especially when your baby will shake tremble... And tremble or sometimes flap their arms, while scrunching up their knees or bending neck..., sitting, crawling, babbling ) severity of symptoms depends on the location the.
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