My cousin's daughter aged 2 has, for the last 3 weeks, awaken with her left hand tightly clenched and her arm drawn up into her chest. This doesn't happen every single day, but at least once every two or three days. She also does this in the afternoon, mainly after waking up from a nap. It takes approximately 2 hours for her to open her clenched hand, and if you try to force it, she says that it hurts. Sometimes she will leave her ring finger touching her palm after opening her hand. They have taken her to the pediatrician and they haven't found any obvious nerve damage in that arm, and have now scheduled her for an MRI of her brain at the beginning of October. Does this sound neurological? What all could the problem be? Has anyone else experienced this or know someone who has?
2006-09-22 02:22:45 · 13 answers · asked by Whitney S 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Make sure she gets the MRI. But I would recommend that she be taken to a pediatric neurologist, as soon as possible, and not rely on the pediatrician. The neurologist should order the MRI, after he examines her. While it may be simple muscle spasms, it could be the sign of something more related to a brain disorder or possibly a head injury.
2006-09-22 09:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had (have) something similar but my hand is not drawn up to my chest. I wake up daily with my hands clenched like in a fist. It takes a while after I wake up to get my fingers to move. Long story short...it is called 'trigger finger' and occurs when the tendon wont move through the joint of the fingers. (google it to be sure) I had surgery on one finger (middle right hand) but, unfortunately, it spreads to other fingers. Not sure if this is the same as the little girl but, it is an avenue to explore. Best of luck
2006-09-22 09:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by intenseone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it sounds like a good idea to have an MRI. If the MRI doesn't show any cause for her condition, I think you should consult a neurologist. Not everything can be seen on a MRI, and a paediatrician is not an expert on neurology.
Best of luck - I hope there's nothing wrong with the girl.
2006-09-22 09:28:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Causes are numerous, she might need more than just an MRI, lack of some minerals in blood could cause that spasm too. I am not an expert, but I doubt it could be neurological problem. Hope she gets well soon, hear from you again
2006-09-22 09:31:25 · answer #4 · answered by alya m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't want to scare you but get a MRI, their may be a mass or tumor that has just reached the size to cause occasional reactions. I have seen this in patients over the years. Have the tests done.
2006-09-22 09:31:34 · answer #5 · answered by FANNY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She might be having a type of seizure. My Niece was having "Grandpa" seizures (I think that is what they are called). They were very mild when she got tired she would push her legs out when she was sitting or laying. Her legs would tight and she couldn't relax them. Her parents thought she was doing it to get attention, but when she was 11 she had a major seizure and they had to take her to the ER.
If your cousin is getting test done she might want to have that checked out too. Just to be on the safe side.
Hope she gets better. Let us know what you find out.
2006-09-22 09:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm... are there any other problems? Has she been having any headaches? Spasms invovling her arms? Anything else?
I'm just a med student but both of my parents are doctors and my mother happens to be a neurologist. I'll ask her about it later today.
2006-09-22 09:38:24 · answer #7 · answered by TheGroove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be physical, but when I read it it made me think it could also be OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). If the problem has just become more apparent it may be that the compulsive behavior is becoming more noticeable. My advice would be to educate yourself on OCD in children, and then look to see if she has any other behaviors that would be associated with OCD.
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2006-09-22 09:34:14 · answer #8 · answered by Poker Guide 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a priest, sounds like she's got the devil in her
2006-09-22 09:31:51 · answer #9 · answered by Wiley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may have something to do with the position she is sleeping in.
she may be cutting of the circulation in some way.
2006-09-22 09:28:31 · answer #10 · answered by 987654321abc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋