What Causes Muscle Twitches In Children And How To Stop It?

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Muscle twitches in children are sudden, uncontrollable muscle movements or jerks in their bodies. Muscle twitching, also known as myoclonus, could be repetitive and triggered by certain factors and postures. Though muscle twitching is not a disease, it could indicate various underlying conditions in the brain and nervous system.

Twitches may occur in a single muscle or multiple muscles at a time. In addition, multiple muscle twitching might occur in the areas of the body involving nerves that serve common muscles.

This condition can be managed in children by modifying their diets or sleep patterns. First, however, you should contact a healthcare provider who might evaluate the underlying causes of twitching and suggest suitable interventions to avoid future complications.

Explore more about the types, possible causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and preventive strategies for muscle twitches in children in this post.

In This Article

Types Of Muscle Twitches (Myoclonus) In Children

There are two basic types of muscle twitches (1).

Positive myoclonus, which causes contraction of a muscle or muscle groups.

Negative myoclonus, a sudden uncontrollable or involuntary muscle relaxation (hand-flapping tremor). Sudden muscle relaxation may cause a walking or standing person to fall.

The following types of myoclonus are seen in children based on the underlying cause and triggers (2).

Essential myoclonus is stable (unchanged) over time, and there is no known underlying cause.

Opsoclonus myoclonus, also known as dancing eyes-dancing feet syndrome, is a rare condition where rapid, irregular eye movements are seen with muscle spasms. According to StatPearls Publishing in the National Library of Medicine, the annual incidence of opsoclonus is one in five million children. This may often occur due to viral fevers, tumors, etc.

Action myoclonus occurs when the child moves or tries to move. It is the most severe type, since the muscle spasms may disable arms, face, legs, and voice.

Stimulus sensitive myoclonus is triggered by an external stimulus such as light, noise, or body movement or a specific body position.

It is essential to understand the cause and triggers of muscle twitching in children to eliminate it. Knowing about the type of muscles affected during the myoclonus episode is vital for evaluating the condition’s severity.

Causes Of Muscle Twitches In Children

The exact cause of muscle twitching is not well understood. An abnormal electrical impulse from parts of the central nervous system (CNS) such as the brain stem, cortex, or nerves to the muscle or a group of muscles causes muscle twitches. Damage to the peripheral nerves (nerves outside CNS) supplying muscle fibers may also cause myoclonic episodes.

The following conditions can be a reason for muscle twitches in children (3) (4).

Head injuries

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Birth hypoxiaⁱXSerious health condition in which the baby does not receive ample oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth
Genetic disorders
Spinal cord injuries
Epilepsy disorders
Brain tumors
Liver failure
Kidney failure
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
Nervous system diseases
Nerve damages
Stress
Lack of sleep
Dehydration
Poor nutrition intake
Caffeine

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Side effects of certain medications
Hormonal imbalances
Certain chemicals
Dystonia
Other injuries may also cause temporary muscle twitches and spasms in children. Emily Neu, a mother of six, shares about the time her youngest child (JT) fell from the bar stool at the kitchen counter and broke his femur from the knee area to close to the hip. Documenting the ride to the hospital with her son, she says, “Throughout the ride in the ambulance to the hospital, JT would seem to relax a bit and then twitch horribly and start to cry in pain. The paramedics said she felt that he was having some muscle spasms because as he would try to relax, the muscles would tighten up because they were trying to hold onto the bone, etc. The spasms and cramps continued throughout the entire time we were waiting for the cast (spica cast) (i).”

Conditions or diseases affecting the neural mechanism of muscular control may also lead to abnormal muscle movements. Children with frequent muscle twitches may require detailed analysis to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Quick fact

Stress and anxiety can trigger muscle twitches that often affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb. They are usually harmless and resolve in a few days (3).

Symptoms Of Muscle Twitches In Children

Unusual tiredness can be a symptom of muscle twitching

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The following symptoms are often seen in children with myoclonus (5) (6).

Poor muscle tone
Tight muscles
Tiredness
Irritability
Tingling sensation
Muscle becomes smaller
Numbness
Uncontrolled, jerky muscle movements
Clumsy movements
Poor body balance
Motor tics

The signs and symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause. A doctor may look for the muscles involved and triggers to diagnose the condition.

Diagnosis For Myoclonus In Children

A detailed medical history is obtained by the pediatrician to identify the possible causes and types of myoclonus. The doctor may also ask details about the signs and symptoms, possible triggers, the muscles involved, duration of twitching, etc.

According to the basic evaluation, more tests are ordered to confirm the underlying causes. These tests may include (7):

Electromyography to assess the muscle activity in response to electrical impulses

Electroencephalograph (EEG) to evaluate the electrical activity of the brain

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Imaging tests such as MRI, CT, PET scan, etc., to identify brain pathologies, such as tumors

Nerve conduction studies

Blood tests to look for viral infections, certain genetic conditions, etc.

The pediatrician will evaluate the results of the test to identify the underlying causes and begin appropriate treatment.

Treatment For Muscle Twitches In Children

The treatment options may vary depending on the cause of the neuromuscular disease. If the reasons are not identifiable on examination, symptom-relieving medications are prescribed to manage the condition. These may include the following options (8). Most are neurological drugs that help relax the nervous system or nerves.

Drugs such as sedatives, tranquilizers (clonazepam), or anticonvulsants may be prescribed.

Boys may receive treatment with anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid (Depakene). Valproic acid may cause side effects such as polycystic ovarian diseaseⁱXA condition where the female body produces increased male hormone resulting in multiple cysts in the ovaries and weight gain in girls. Thus, girls may receive lamotrigine (Lamictal) for treating myoclonus.

Topiramate (Topamax), levetiracetam (Keppra), and zonisamide (Zonegran) are other anticonvulsants of choice for treating muscle twitches.

Sedatives such as barbiturates could reduce muscle twitches since they decrease brain activities.

Treatment of the underlying cause.

Surgical removal and chemotherapy for tumors could improve twitches if it is the cause.

Behavioral therapy may be initiated if a lack of sleep is the cause.

If the episode is triggered by light, movement, etc., it is recommended to avoid triggers as much as possible.

Point to consider

You may consider using Botulinum toxin injections (Botox®) for facial spasms (1). However, they should only be used under medical supervision.

Depending on the severity and cause, the doctor may prescribe medications or procedures. Some conditions are curable with treatment, whereas few cases may require long-term management.

Home Care For Muscle Twitches In Children

Use dim lights to care for muscle twitches in children

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Muscle twitching caused by certain lifestyle triggers can be managed with home remedies. These may include (9):

Eat healthily
Get good sleep
Avoid caffeinated beverages, such as energy drinks, coffee, etc.
Stay hydrated
Exercise regularly
Try to keep anxiety and stress at bay
Use dim lights if light triggers muscle twitches

You may discuss with a pediatrician if the muscle twitches don’t get well with home care measures. Seek medical care for detailed analysis and follow home care measures if modifiable lifestyle factors are causing twitches.

Muscle twitches in children are involuntary movements that could be triggered either due to dehydration or an underlying cause of epilepsy. Therefore, it is advised to keep a check on the factors that induce these cramps in children and consult the doctor for a confirmed diagnosis. The doctor might either provide medicines to control the symptoms or other medications depending upon the cause of the condition. However, you must ensure that your child gets enough sleep, eats healthy, and stays protected from any triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I worry about muscle twitching?

It is advised to consult a doctor if you notice frequent muscle twitches that affect your ability to work at a normal pace, accompanied by headaches and seizures (1).

2. Is it normal to experience muscle twitching every day?

Frequent muscle twitching may be due to non-serious underlying factors. However, consult a medical professional/pediatrician to rule out any serious underlying issues.

3. What is a muscle twitch, and how is it different from a spasm or cramp?

A muscle cramp is a painful involuntary tightening of the muscles of a particular body part which may not relax on its own, while a muscle twitch is an involuntary tightening or relaxation of muscles in the body that may not be readily noticeable and may resolve on its own (3) (11).

4. At what age do muscle twitches in children typically occur?

Muscle twitches, in the form of spasms, typically commence between three to twelve months and may persist for a few years (12).

5. Can muscle twitches in children affect their ability to participate in physical activities or sports?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that muscle twitches generally do not affect the child’s ability to participate in physical activities. However, if the child has an underlying condition, it may interfere with their activity levels.

Infographic: Does Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Start With Muscle Twitches?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive neurological disease often caused by genetic factors. In this condition, there is a loss of motor neurons, leading to poor muscle control and movement. Initial symptoms of ALS may include muscle twitching. Although rare, this can affect children. Go through the infographic to know more about muscle twitches in ALS.

characteristics of muscle twitches and functions in als (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Key Pointers

Epilepsy disorders and dehydration are significant causes of muscle twitching in children.
Electromyography, electroencephalography, imaging tests, and blood tests, including electrolyte measurements, may help identify the cause of muscle twitching.
Muscle twitching is treated according to the cause, and long-term medications are often required for children with epilepsy disorders and seizures.

Muscle Twitches In Children_illustration

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Muscle twitching and fasciculation can be normal, but when should you worry? Find out in this video!

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. The green monster – life in a spica cast;
https://lifeinaspicacast.blogspot.com/2014/02/

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Muscle Twitch (Myoclonus); Cleveland Clinic
2. Myoclonus Fact Sheet; The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
3. Muscle Twitching; MedlinePlus; The United States National Library of Medicine
4. Myclonus; Bayer Medicine
5. What Causes Muscle Twitches?; Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; Johns Hopkins Medicine
6. Myoclonic Epilepsy; Cedars Sinai
7. What You Need To Know About Muscle Twitching?; Medindia
8. John N. Caviness; Treatment of Myoclonus; The United States National Library of Medicine
9. Why do my muscles twitch?; Wexner Medical Center; The Ohio State University
11. Muscle cramps; National Library of Medicine
12. Myoclonic Seizures; Johns Hopkins Medicine