Unexplained jerks in young child

[moli867]

My son is five and half yr. old,autistic but was improving and had just started to be vocal when suddenly some abnormal jerks started affecting him.  Paediatric Neurologist says it might be Myoclonic jerks after a month he started screaming.  Screams are so shrill that it's hard to tolerate by people with normal hearing.  He is on calcium/ Magnesium and multivitamins.  Hyperactive and emotional tantrums were since infancy.  He continues his activities while these attacks which are sudden and repetitive and certainly increases by visual stimulation.  Doctor says that myoclonic jerks are affecting vocal chord that's why he is screaming..
Please share experiences or suggestions.

[moli867]

hi,  I m really thankfull to you for sharing this info.  I will ask his doctor about this reason. Thnaks.

[moli867]

Thanks for replying..  Ya , actually I have seen this syndrome and my son's jerks resemble also but Dr's diagnosed it as Myoclonic jerks.  he is biting his cheeks during jerks and getting hurt.  Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Red_Star]

Excerpt from the article "Could A Lack Of Vitamin B12 Be The Hidden Cause Of Your Health Problems?". The questions are answered by Sally M. Pacholok RN, who co wrote the book with her husband Jeffrey J. Stuart DO: Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses.

"What type of developmental delays and learning disabilities are caused by a lack of B12? What amounts do you feel children need to get past these delays and disabilities?

Sally: It is well known that vitamin B12 deficiency causes developmental delay and brain atrophy in infants and children.  This has been reported in medical journals and texts since the 1960’s.  The medical community (pediatricians, neurologists) is not routinely checking children who present with the first concern of developmental delay for B12 deficiency which is problematic and a clinical error.    

Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants and young children may produce the following neurologic and hematologic signs:

1.    developmental delay            
2.    developmental regression    
3.    poor socialization
4.    poor motor skills
5.    language delay
6.    speech problems
7.    lower IQ
8.    mental retardation
9.    irritability                
10.    weakness                
11.    hypotonia                
12.    ataxia                    
13.    apathy                    
14.    tremor    
15.    myoclonus of the head, limbs, and tongue                      
16.    involuntary movements
17.    seizures
18.    anorexia
19.    failure to thrive
20.    poor weight gain
21.    poor head growth (microcephaly)    
22.    anemia (may be present but is not a requirement)
23.    pancytopenia
24.    macrocytosis (may be present but is not a requirement—and may be masked due to folic acid     supplementation or coexisting iron deficiency)
25.    abnormal brain MRI or CT:  cerebral brain atrophy, enlarged ventricles

All children with developmental delay or suspected autism must be screened for B12 deficiency before starting any B12 treatment.  Parents are making the mistake of self treating with B12 and then wanting to know if B12 deficiency is the cause.  It is critical to know if B12 deficiency is the cause for a variety of reasons.  We cannot stress this enough.  You can’t start B12 therapy, and then take it away and test the child.  Furthermore, if health care providers tell you to start B12 therapy, always insist on testing first. Infants and children need a serum B12 and a urinary methylmalonic acid test.  

Documentation of a B12 deficiency is critical and test results along with clinical exam will dictate B12 therapy.  In addition, the child’s physician should investigate the underlying cause if B12 deficiency is found."

[ee849]

Hi there, sorry to hear about your sons problems.
My son is 9, has been having odd tics/twitches since he was 4. I went to the drs repeatedly and was told he had a habit. He has never had a vocal tic.
Only in January after going private we got a diagnosis of tourettes syndrome. He is now on medication because he jerks his head and i have a huge fear he will choke or hurt his neck.
While the dr was going through his behaviours he mentioned my son was unusual as he has no 'co-morbs', such as aspergers, autism, adhd etc and is a very high achiever.
Without meaning to worry you, it might be worth asking about whether he may have a form of mild tourettes.
All the best to you both xx