My friend has a healthy 7 mo babygirl. This past month her body will randomly "stiffin up" for a few seconds (like maybe 2 seconds). She does not do it in her sleep-and there are days when it is often, and days when it is not so often. She seems not to be in any pain. She was taken to to the hospital for tests, and they came out fine. She was taken to her primary dr.-and they did not seem worried-however suggested she make an appt with a nuerologist. Of course it will be another month before she can be seen. So my sweet friend is sleepless and worried. Any one expierience this before? And a side note-when the baby turned about 4 mo old-she started getting BO (body oder). The dr was not concerened-however we know this is not normal. Any words f advice there? Thanks mommies!!
Does the baby have reflux? Smetimes kids will stiffen and arch their back with that. As far as the odor...that seems odd to me. Have you smelled it?
I have done a LOT of research into epilepsy, and am currently writing a research paper on it - the reason I am so interested is because my son has a kind of epilepsy called Rolandic epilepsy.
An eeg will need to be performed, but her symptoms sound like infantile spasms.
It sounds like mild seizures, so a neurologist will be able to determine if they are. Also, with the body odor she should be seen by an endocrinologist as this is totally not normal.
Be there for your friend, it's so hard to know something is not right but not know what it is❤
Keep a video camera handy and record the episodes. If you can use your phone to video capture an episode and email it to a doc that would be best. Also document how whenever they happen and how long they last. ask the docs when they need to call 911 and what actions they should take if the episodes last more than a couple of seconds. Pediatric neurologists are usually very busy and do take awhile to get an appointment, if you get very concerned, take them to the ER. Finally, I agree the body odor is very suspicious. Is that still happening? This is pretty gross, but I'd take clothing that has the smell with me to the doc so they can experience that as well. Sometimes the quality of the smell gives clues to the problem. Hey, they get paid the big bucks to deal with this kind of stuff, so TOTALLY do what you need to do to get the problem resolved!
Hi E.,
Make sure your friend discusses the odor with the neurologist, as it can be an important clue. Trying to put these two symptoms together would point to the possibility of a pituitary tumor causing both precocious puberty (hence the body odor) and seizures Medical literature discusses other cases of precocious puberty beginning at age 4 months, and this is not as totally bizarre as it may seem -- normal male infants actually go through a first puberty at 4 -5 mos of age. Your friend should examine her child for other signs of puberty, such as hair growth in the armpits and pubic area, enlargement of the genetalia, and enlargement of the breast tissue. I don't know what types of tests were performed in the hospital -- was a brain MRI with contrast included? That should give definitive evidence or rule out of a tumor.
I don't know what kind of insurance your friend has, but there shouldn't be a month wait to see a neurologist, especially if there's reason for greater concern. As an example, my doctor was concerned about signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome I've been having on a Friday, and I was able to schedule an appointment with a neurologist for the following Tuesday.
My son had it too. It can be a reaction for vaccination. That what he had. Of cource doctor would not agree with that. Bot sure enough next vaccination - same reaction for several months. He had reaction for varicella. i think i was around 6-7 months old. I wish i would of done more research before vaccinating him. My next 2 kids are not vaccinated.
Stiffening up could be seizures but really only a doctor can make any diagnosis. I would get a second opinion from another pediatrician. Body odor from a clean baby is not normal (although they can have some stinky gas esp if fed formula or solids).
I recently saw this with a newborn that lasted well into the 3rd or 4th month, it was the baby with-drawling from being addicted to vicodin that his mother took during her pregnancy. According to this mother the doc told her to continue with the vicodin while she was nursing to keep the baby from having those symptoms. It was sad.
Since the 7 month old just started this, it could just be a temporary tic. But probably needs to be researched by the pediatrician if it continues.
You didn't mention what tests the hospital did. Am assuming a CT scan? They need to see the brain and check brain functioning.
Not to scare you, but rather to share, some friends of ours had a similar thing going on with their two month old son (not the BO, but the body startling and stiffening repeatedly). They are military, so I am pretty sure they have great insurance. They took the baby to ER and the tests came back showing the baby has a rare genetic condition called Tuberous Sclerosis. I'm not sure what kind of insurance your friends are dealing with, but if it speeds things up, I'd recommend paying out of pocket to see the best pediatric neurologist possible. Hopefully it's nothing, but with BO, it really sounds like something is going on.
