Spasmus Nutans

This is a video of my son taken on 4/22/09 at the age of 6 months. He had been evaluated two separate times at the hospital for suspected seizure activity. His EEGs, MRI, blood work, spinal tap, etc were all normal, but we still didn't have any answers. They first diagnosed him with epilepsy and then we were given a diagnosis of "non-epileptic events." When he started doing this again after our second hospital stay, I was finally able to catch it on video and show his neurologist. He was then given a definitive diagnosis of "spasmus nutans" which involves a triad of symptoms including horizontal, vertical, or pendular nystagmus (fine, rapid jerking of the eyes back and forth, and from side to side), head nodding, and head tilting.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• back
• and
• forth
• eye
• movement
• seizure
• EEG
• epilepsy
• spasmus
• nutans
• nystagmus
• neurologist
• side
• to
• head
• nodding
• tilting
• torticollis
• baby
• infant
• spasm

[annerichey]

I can't remember what resources I was using back then, as this was almost 2 years ago. But I can tell you that he grew out of it in just a few short months after it appeared! It really seemed to peak right then around 6 months, and was completely gone by the time he turned 1, and by then it would only happen when he was really tired. I sure hope the same applies for your baby!

[annerichey]

If your son isn't even 5 mos old, I wouldn't worry about him sitting up just yet! Ben didn't sit up until 9 mos, which is a little delayed according to some, but I think that was due to his torticollis. His spasmus nutans is practically gone at this point, he only does it once in a blue moon, and it only seems to happen when he's tired. They recommended he see a physical therapist but the problems resolved on their own fairly quickly so I chose not to do that treatment option.

[annerichey]

No, I was not induced. My waters spontaneously ruptured, and his heartrate was totally normal during the course of my 7 hour labor. He was born all natural, no drugs, no IV, barely any interventions! However, he did develop jaundice after birth, and also had torticollis and reflux.

[annerichey]

Yes, actually if you read the info posted with the video it tells you what he has been diagnosed with. I posted it for other parents to use as a point of reference if their children are experiencing the same symptoms.

[cabrosh]

your little guy is absolutely beautiful!

[kianatehrani]

Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute baby. :D I liked when he saw gra'mpa and got excited. ^ w ^

[ANGELSRAGE77]

@lamturnik Did you not read the description? In his case it wasn't normal and turned out to ne something neurological. Obviously your kid didn't have the same thing and if it really did then you did a poor job on properly observing your child. Nothing worst than non qualified people telling parents what to do or think.

[Lamturnik]

This is normal. My daughter was doing it about the same age. usually when it was passed her bed time.

[tiffanyrulez19]

HE HAS ADORABLE EYES! :)

[TheMinnie419]

He is so beautiful and sweet. He wants to talk so badly. He sure loves his grandpa, doesn't he? I do hope that this never is seen again. He is a very social baby. Love his little smile. God Bless.

[MrMcshane70]

There seems to be fluid under his eyes. Vision may be poor as his eyes are straining to widen to focus. Does he always tilt his head or is he just looking over? Epilepsy shouldn't be discounted as it may be the underlying factor.

[MLMaddox]

@annerichey my son has had this since he was about 6months old. Now he is years old and its going away. My sons CT and MRI scan came back normal as time is going on he is slowing but surely growing out of it. Their is no cause for this it just happens. His left eye twitches only and he shakes his head from left to right. He doesn't tilt his head though

[doccastro]

One differential diagnosis is a glioma, then an MRI is indicated, the management is different.

[jendbj18]

Ur son is so cute, my daughter was diagnosed with spasm nutans when she was two monts old it was very disturbing to me, we were at the hospital for a week they did all kind of tests and they couldn't find anything wrong with her and after they got liquid out of her spine they give me that diagnosis thank God she grew out of it and now she is 7 years old healthy little girl the only issue is that her vision was affected and she has to wear glasses other than that everything else is perfect

[apostolosk]

God bless your little boy! I stumbled upon this video by accident. I hope everything is okay and he is growing happy and healthy!