3 year old involuntary movements

Our 3.5 year old son raises both arms shoulder height bending at the elbows with hands in contorted positions. At the same time he dips his chin and moves the sides of mouth back. It appears to be involuntary and unnoticed by him. He expresses no pain. This happen several times an hour throughout the day but not while he sleeps. It appeared to lessen for one week, but seems to be occuring more often now. When he is active it is not as noticeable.  When reading or eating the movements are more noticeable.  Has been occuring for over one month. He was a 30 week twin, had a heart monitor for 6 weeks after release from the NICU, but no incidents that occured more than a few seconds.  No serious illnesses other than a bacterial infection in one of his hips when he was 2. He experienced pain when he tried to stand and walk.  MRI found the infection. Speech is fine. Motor skills fine, he draws, runs, jumps, etc.  His twin (girl) doesn't have any indication or similar movements although she is more coordinated. We don't see the pediatric neuro until the end of August. We would like to get an advance idea of what we may be looking at to be begin preparing questions for the doctor.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There can be several considerations.  One group would be hereditary ataxias.  Options to consider would be cerebral palsy - which is a common cause of movement disorders in children.

Another option would be what's known as Sydenham chorea (SC), which is normally associated with infection and rheumatic fever.  

There can be some hereditary disorders, like Lesch-Nyhan syndrome  which results in motor disorders due to a defect in gene coding.  

Finally, another cause of involuntary movements can be caused by benign hereditary chorhea - again caused by a gene defect.  

Each of these considerations will have different workups - and should be discussed with your pediatric neurologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[virginiasdad]

Is there a follow up to your doctor visits?  We have experienced a similar condition with our 3.5 year old daughter.  The only distinction seems to be difficulty sleeping on nights when the movements are occurring - essentially waking herself up as she falls off.  Reading through the possibilities discussed by the doctor, most seem a bit off point.  Please advise.

[shorkulak]

My son is nearly seven years old , and one month ago he started extending his jaw as if yawning on a very regular basis . perhaps 4 times a minute or as little as once every 5 minutes .
He also does this duriong sleep but on a less regular basis.

There is no history movement disorders in his family history

I have found a desciption of similar movements under oromandibular dystonia  and it has scared the living day lights out of my wife and I .   it would seem that OMD occurs mostly in adults between 40 and 70  and is focal not spreading .

What else could ,my son have that is causeing this involuntary
jaw movement.  

Around the time of the onset of these movements he had a unusally high temperature  of 110 one evening  although i do not suggest there is a link .

Also Dystonia in children seems to start on the lower limbs and can the sprtead having terible  comsequences , does OMD in chidren known to spread .


Absolutely any help will be greatly appreciated .