What are the symptoms of muscle spasms in children

Muscle spasms in children may be caused by calcium deficiency, excessive exercise, electrolyte imbalance, epileptic seizures, brain damage, and other factors. Muscle spasms are characterized by involuntary contractions of local or systemic muscles, often accompanied by pain or restricted movement.

1. Calcium deficiency

Calcium ions participate in the regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation, and insufficient blood calcium levels can lead to increased excitability of neuromuscular systems. Infants and young children with rapid growth and vitamin D deficiency rickets are more likely to experience nighttime leg cramps. It can be improved by increasing the intake of calcium rich foods such as dairy products and soy products, and supplementing with calcium supplements and vitamin D under the guidance of a doctor.

2. Excessive exercise

Lactic acid accumulation after intense exercise may cause transient muscle spasms, commonly seen in school aged children with gastrocnemius muscle spasms after exercise. Warm up adequately before exercise, replenish electrolyte water containing sodium and potassium in a timely manner during exercise, and moderate stretching after exercise can reduce the probability of occurrence. If the spasm lasts for more than 30 minutes, seek medical attention to rule out other causes.

3. Electrolyte imbalance

Hyponatremia and hypokalemia caused by diarrhea and vomiting can interfere with muscle electrophysiological activity. Children with high temperature sweating or gastroenteritis in summer may experience hand and foot twitching. Mild dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration salts, while severe electrolyte imbalance requires intravenous rehydration therapy. At the same time, check for the presence of kidney or endocrine disorders.

4. Seizures

Partial seizures may manifest as rhythmic twitching of local muscle groups, while generalized tonic clonic seizures are accompanied by loss of consciousness and generalized seizures. Electroencephalogram examination can assist in diagnosis. Commonly used antiepileptic drugs include levetiracetam tablets, oxcarbazepine tablets, sodium valproate sustained-release tablets, etc. The dosage should be strictly adjusted according to medical advice. When there are central nervous system abnormalities such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and sequelae of encephalitis in newborns, muscle tone may increase and spastic paralysis may occur. This situation requires neuroimaging evaluation, treatment including nutritional nerve drugs such as mouse nerve growth factor, combined with rehabilitation training to improve motor function. Parents should record the frequency and causes of recurrent muscle spasms in their children to avoid blindly massaging or pulling the spasming area. Pay attention to a balanced diet in daily life, ensure the intake of magnesium containing foods such as dairy and green leafy vegetables, and take protective measures before and after exercise. If spasms are accompanied by fever, consciousness disorders, or persist for more than 1 hour, immediate medical examination should be conducted for acute and severe conditions such as meningitis and tetanus. Regular child health check ups can help detect metabolic or neuromuscular system abnormalities early on.