Blue Fingers, Flashes of Light

My 10-year-old child has developed some new problems this week. The moons on his fingernails have turned a bluish color. He has been waking suddenly at night (apnea-type incidents since age two, but no diagnosis). He has seen flashes of white light and heard cracking noises upon waking up in the morning. This is a child with food and airborne allergies. We do not believe the current issues are allergy-related.

There is an extended family history of migraine with aura, and one case of epilepsy. In the past, my son has displayed some behavior which I find unusual. This is stopping and freezing on the spot, as if he is somewhere else for a few seconds. Then he startles, and seems surprised.

Does any of this sound familiar. What is happening?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

There are two concerns I would like to mention. First,  a possible heart disease. Please get him screened for a heart condition.

Second, he has absence seizures, where one stops for a few seconds, stares to nowhere and comes back with a confused state. A prompt medical attention is needed. Anti epileptic medication should be started. Please consult a pediatric neurologist for him.

How is he doing in the school?

Regards