Symptoms of acid reflux in infant? seizure like?
Everything up to this point had been by the book normal. This is my second daughter, she was born 3/16/09 7 lbs. 7 oz. though she was removed through c-section due to my pelvis not openning wide enough( I guess she had a bigger head that her sister did. lol). Let me begin by saying that my oldest is 4 1/2 now, and she was 100% formula, and had acid reflux to the tenth power! That poor child spit up so often, half of my family and friends wouldn't hold her for more than 2 or 3 minutes and wouldn't even consider if there was a bottle in sight, as she would upchuck a third to half of every bottle, so I am no stranger to it, but this time something is very very diffirent. This time around I am 100% breastfeeding, and have just slightly begun playing with cereal at 3 monthes. The first time I ever noticed anything,(6-8 weeks of age) we were at home and she was finishing up one of her afternoon snacks. I removed her from my breast and laid her down and the split second I released her body, she became very stiff, stuck her arms straight out in front of her, started to shake and very swiftly move her eyes from left to right. After my initial shock(5-10 seconds) I picked her up and she immediatly stopped and seemed to be completely normal. I didn't make the connection until a few days later but she threw up about two hours after the incident. ( I know this was vomit verse spit up because it was very chunky and looked more like cereal than brest milk.) I took her to the ER, there was no fever which they stated was the main factor, and they took a urine sample which also came back normal. I told her pediatrician about the episode, and while finishing up her check up I realized that every time I lay her down, to some degree her body stiffens, and her eyes fluter around as if she has no control over them. They sent us in for an EEG and everything came back normal... She to this day has not had an episode to the degree of the first, but still her eyes flutter around and it almost seems as if she must compose herself each time. The doctor is explaining it as being acid reflux, and has given her an RX for Prevacid. Has anyone experienced any like symptoms with acid reflux? I'm sceptical to give this to her as I have read very contradicting statments reguarding the proper use? Has anyone ever heard of seizure like symptoms with reflux?
Have you read anything about Sandifer's syndrome? It is caused by reflux and can look very much like seizures. I had never heard of eye movements going along with it but I did find this link:
http://www.righthealth.com/topic/Sandifer_Syndrome/overview/wiki_detailed?modp=Sandifer_syndrome
In general, I'm a little leary of Wikipedia but it does give a fairly good synopsis.
All that said, it might be a good idea if possible to video tape an episode and keep a recording of how often they happen especially if you are going to put her on the Prevacid. This will allow you to monitor if the frequency decreases once she's on the medicine.
As for concerns about neurological issues with GI meds, there is a concern about children being on Reglan which is a different class of drug than Prevacid. It has unfortunately been found to cause nervous system side effects. Prevacid on the other hand to date has not been linked with nervous system side effects.
Finally, if you really don't feel like you are getting the answers you need you may want to seek a second opinion. Having evidence in hand like the video and log would be very useful if you do get a second opinion.
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Hello Rebecca, I agree with Stephanie that it is a good idea to explore more information on Sandifer Syndrome. Sandifer Syndrome may be caused by a painful reflux episode so Prevacid would be a treatment to consider. There is some concern in the medical community about giving Prevacid (a PPI) to very young infants. You might want to talk to the doctor about other non medication approaches such as a wedge for positioning and sleeping, thickening feeds (not easy with nursing) and keeping upright after feeds. You could also talk to the doctor about an acid reducer such as Zantac that is FDA approved for ages 1 month of age and older.
My daughter had silent reflux so placing her on her back caused the stomach contents to obstruct her airway and cause aspiration. While it does not sound like your little one is aspirating, she could be having significant discomfort from being fully reclined.
You might want to see if the doctor can write a prescription for a wedge such as the Ar Pillow or the Tucker Sling.I know Pollywog baby also had a changing wedge that allows a baby with reflux to be upright. My daughter was older so I was not able to personally try these products. However, other parents have indicated that wedges and inclined changing surfaces made their babies more comfortable.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
www.refluxmom.com
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My son was born on 3/12/09 and has been doing the same thing everyone is panicing thinking it's a Seizer and now I think I found that answer my wife wanted to take him to a Neurologist but I think we need to focus on things to stop the reflex. He is on zantak which we just started again. My son is stifing up loud crys at time eyes tearing up and somewhat closed for about 10-20 seconds then he is fine.
how did u get them to stop feel so bad for him!
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Jan Gambino
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Take the baby to a pediatric neurologist. They can do tests and reveal why the seizures are happening. Try to record the seizures. My niece who is 1 month old started having seizures with arms coming straight out and up, eyes unfocused, and legs stiffening. She is now on a seizure med called Keppra. She has one seizure a day still, but she also is trying to get used to the medication. Dosages are very tricky with infants as they grow. Doctors usually belittle things and the only way we could get her to a neurologist was taking her to the ER. She was having 3 or 4 seizures a day. The doc said everytime the seizure was apparent, it was like a flash of lightning was going off in her brain doing damage. Every second counts. Don't wait til it's too late. Go to a neurologist.
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Ironically enough, my daughter has the same exact birthday as yours and is dong very similar movements. We have already had an EEG performed and they said they found no seizure like activity. They feel it may be reflux or masterbation. My daughter was administered an incorrect vaccine at 2 months and this started happening soon after that. With your situation, do you see any connection to your childs vaccine schedule?
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My daughter was born 29 weeks at 3 pds 3 ounces and has had episodes that consist in the carseat from being a baby to this day that consist of sweats, closes her eyes, stretches her leg and arms out looks so much like a seizure but the neurologist rule that out after a eeg. til this day i am unable to ride with her in a carseat due to these horrible events. People look at me as if i am crazy for having her out of the carseat but it happens while she in. MD stated she also has GERD and presribed her with the dissolvable Prevacid tablets et nothing has changed. GOOD LUCK
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Jan Gambino
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Hello,
The symptoms you are describing had to be scary! I am glad seizures were ruled out. I wonder if her symptoms were caused by the carseat. A carseat can put a great deal of pressure on her stomach, causing terrible pain and discomfort.
I encourage you to try the carseat again for her safety. Maybe someone could sit next to her to watch her for the first few trips?
Jan
yes i have a grand daugther who is 3 months since birth she would spit up after having a bottle and in between times if she put flat on her back she would have the vomiting
and the seizure like symptoms her eyes would row bak and tears would come from her eyes and she would be very stiff her head would go back
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Hello!
It is so scary when a baby is having seizures or seizure-like symptoms. It is important to rule out seizures. What does the doctor think? Does the doctor want him to see a neurologist? Sometimes a baby has seizures and it looks like Sandiers Syndrome. Other times, a baby has reflux and it looks like seizures. Once the doctor has ruled out seizures, you can work hard to control the reflux.
Jan