can low iron cause tics in infants

[concernedmotherof3]

My 8 month old son started doing a head twitch where his eyes would go up to the left always to the same side the left. I took him to the ER where they kept him for an EEG and Video EEG. they said it all came out normal but when he had his blood evaluated they found out he has severe iron deficiency. Does this cause Tics or muscle spasms?

[Nicole1111]

That's so funny you ask this - I have been wondering the same thing!  My son has a severe iron deficiency (iron stores - not hemoglobin iron), and as long as we supplement him a ton he seems to be much less seizure prone.  It could be a coincidence, but I do wonder if there's a connection.  Do any doctors find this?

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Medical literature has been sparse on the relation of iron deficiency with tic disorders. However, there have been reports that suggest an association.

In a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, July 2006 with the title "Ferritin Levels and Their Association With Regional Brain Volumes in Tourette’s Syndrome", it was concluded that:

     "...lower peripheral ferritin and iron levels in persons with Tourette’s syndrome are consistent with findings in other movement disorders and suggest that lower iron availability may have a causal role in the pathophysiology of tic disorders. Lower iron stores may contribute to hypoplasia of the caudate and putamen, increasing vulnerability to developing tics or to having more severe tics. Lower iron stores may also contribute to smaller cortical volumes and consequently to reduced inhibitory control of tics."

Although this is not definitive of tic disorders and iron deficiency, it does suggest a causal role for iron in this condition.

Hope this helps.