17 Mo Old "Twitching"

Updated on May 13, 2009
M.M. asks from Laguna Beach, CA
14 answers

Hi moms,
My 17 mo old has had a sort of "twitch" for a while now, and I always just thought that it was the chills. He sort of shivers his shoulders and neck/head. I have been noticing it more frequently - like a 2-3 times an hour lately, and it would happen at times that would not seem likely that he was getting a chill. So, it's starting to make me wonder if something is wrong. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks so much.

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S.R.

answers from Reno on

My now 4 yr old did the same thing around the same age. I was freaking out thinking he had a neurological problem. I did some research and found out he was getting the chills after, or during he was peeing. It happens to adults. Check next time to see if he had just gone to the bathroom and if he is wet, that could be your answer.You should go and ask your Dr. I feel for you. I was so scared when I saw my son TWITCH. Then when I finally realized what was happening, he stopped getting the chills! Good luck!
~S.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Not to alarm you, but I would take him or her to a neurologist for a work up and consult. Could be little seizures or may be nothing, but better to have it checked out. Good luck

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R.J.

answers from San Diego on

Time to see the doctor.

Most likely it's nothing to worry about. Babies have something called "brown fat", that helps to keep them warm, because they don't HAVE the ability to shiver yet. The brown fat goes away as they learn to shiver. So on a guess, that's what's happening. Couple in the fact that babies repeat motions that are interesting/new/funny feeling and you may very well have your answer.

That said, a trip to the ped will rule out anything more serious, like epilespy, teething (causes short little bouts of fever and chills, hence the shiver), etc.

r

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Did this start around the time of a vaccine? Do your research in the PDR as to the side effects of the last one given if you are vaccinating. You might just find your answer there.

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hey Sweetie, does it look like maybe he is having tiny seizures? does he stop what he is doing when he twitches? or does he just continue playing like nothing happened. For piece of mind I would call his ped, that's what I always did
it saves so much worring time. I pray all is well, it may be nothing at all. Just check it out. J. L

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

my daughter does it time to time i dont worry too much about it. she just looks like she gets the chills.. but 2-3 times an hour i think deserves a trip to the ped. just to make sure its not something more serious. i read online that theres a type of seizure in babies that looks like a chill. im not saying thats what your baby has (im no dr lol) but i think that it would be the worst case senario ya know. i would try to google it and look for information. also maybe shes peeing and the sensation makes her wiggle like that. good luck! i hope everything checks out ok!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

When he does it, is it something amusing/funny while he is doing it?
The reason I ask, is both my kids did that at, if I remember, maybe about 1 year old.
For them, in their case, it was not ALL the time, but when they did it they laughed and thought it was funny.
Yes, it looks like a shiver from being cold... but it's not.
I asked our Pediatrician and she said that some babies do this... its non-specific, and not a "concern" and is just some reaction thing/gesture they do for who knows what reason. My friend's child did this too.

In my kids, it was a short lived thing and it was not a seizure or anything. Try just observing, and not playing it up or giving it much attention. See if there is a pattern to it.

But yes, check with your Pediatrician.

All the best,
Susan

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D.L.

answers from Reno on

I agree with the other smart moms here. Take your son to the doctor. This might be nothing (one of my sons just had "immature nerves" and the problem corrected itself as he got older and matured); it might be something more serious (my youngest son developed seizures at 2 yrs). There are several tests the dr can do for seizures in addition to visually evaluating your son. If you are referred to a pediatric neurologist, call around and get recommendations so you get a great one. My son's seizures have been controlled for a couple of years and he is an amazing, rambuntious little boy.
Hopefully it will be nothing, but if it is something, there are a lot of treatments and medications out there and being proactive is the best thing you can do for him.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
D

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D.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would check with the pediatrician just to be sure. Never can be too careful, especially if there is no need for a chill.

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K.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Take him to the doctor ASAP. You need to rule out anything but it might be something nurilogical. Especially at that young an age, they can't tell you how they are feeling. Good luck.

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E.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

You should really get this checked by his Doc. This could be mild seizure, tremors, serious virus. Don't let something like this go unchecked.

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B.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

The twitching could be tics, (involuntary body movements, not the bug), which need to be checked out because (I was told by a Dr.)they "could be a precursor to a seizure disorder", or they could themselves be little seizures. I know that because I work with infants at risk for a developmental disability, and some of them had seizures very young (the first few days of life), and I have seen the description of the movements that were the reason the child was checked for seizure activity, and some of them were VERY slight. So he should be seen by a Dr. who will probably send you to a Neurologist for an EEG. If your Dr. does not do anything to rule out seizure, I would get the EEG done anyway. (self refer to a Neurologist) If it is yes, write to me again. There is research that shows that B6 and Magnesium is effective in Seizure control, and may reduce or eliminate the need for anti-seizure drugs. I personally have found it effective in eliminating tics in my own child.

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T.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would take him to the ped. just to be on the safe side. I'm sure it is nothing but just to double check!

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K.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Video Tape it and take the video and camera to the doctor so he can see exactly what you are talking about. There's nothing worse than the doc not being able to see what's happening. Get it as many times as you can on tape. And definitely take him to the doc. I'm not sure about the M. that suggested it could be chills from peeing. I don't think he's peeing 2-3 times an hour??? If it's worrying you enough that you're on this site asking about it you need to have it checked out. I truly believe Mommy knows best :) I'd also like to add that you should start keeping a journal of the times and date of when it's happening to help the doctors with a possible diagnosis or test.

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