Does your little one move around a bit strangely, whether after a feed or a meal? Does he sometimes turn his neck to one side and arch his back in a strange way? It's a bit scary, isn't it? Many parents get worried when they see things like this. It's reasonable to think, "Is something wrong with my child?" So today we're going to talk about a condition that shows these symptoms, but is often not serious, but definitely needs attention. That's a condition called Sandifer Syndrome.
What is Sandifer Syndrome, doctors?
Simply put, Sandifer Syndrome is a condition in which your baby has unusual, uncontrollable movements of their head, neck, and back. This can feel like muscle spasms. Most of the time, these strange movements are seen after your baby has breastfed or eaten.
Think about it, sometimes we get a burning sensation in our chest when we eat something spicy, right? Similarly, babies also feel discomfort when the milk or food they drink comes back up from the stomach to the throat, that is, the esophagus, which is called acid reflux . It is in response to this discomfort that these strange movements and spasms occur in the baby's body. This often happens when the contents of the stomach do not settle properly.
Who is more likely to develop this condition?
This condition, called Sandifer Syndrome, is mainly seen in infants and young children . It can also occur in children with certain developmental delays.
As for how common this is, according to surveys conducted in the United States, about 7% of breastfed babies have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, less than 1% of them show symptoms such as regurgitation associated with Sandifer syndrome. This means that not all babies with GERD develop it.
Why is this happening to my baby? What is really happening inside?
If your baby shows these symptoms after drinking milk, it is because the contents of his stomach (milk, gastric juices) are moving back up into the esophagus . Just like we get heartburn when we eat something spicy, the baby also feels the same discomfort and pain.
So, the baby's body responds to this discomfort and pain with involuntary spasms. That is, the baby archs its back, turns its neck, and twists its body in an attempt to reduce this discomfort coming from within . This is just like when we touch something hot without realizing it, we quickly pull our hand away. The baby quickly moves its body here and there in this way, as if it were an attempt to stop the contents of the stomach from going the wrong way.
What are the symptoms of Sandifer Syndrome?
In this condition, three main groups of symptoms can be seen:
1. Symptoms caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
This is often the cause. When stomach acid reaches the throat, things like this can happen:
- The baby is spitting up milk .
- Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest. Young babies may cry and become restless because they don't know how to express this.
- Chest pain.
- A strange sour taste comes to my mouth.
2. Dystonic movements:
These are the previously mentioned, uncontrollable, twitching, twisting movements of the baby's muscles. These can occur continuously or be intermittent. For example:
- They are arching their backs .
- Body shaking `(tremors)`.
- Rapid blinking.
- Neck rolling.
- The muscles feel tight.
3. Feeding difficulties:
Your baby may show these types of difficulties while breastfeeding or eating:
- Always crying .
- Talking nonsense, showing fussiness .
- It feels like there is a blockage in the throat, and a cough comes as if milk is being choked on (gagging).
Could there be other things besides these?
Yes, in addition to these main symptoms, Sandifer Syndrome can cause some other problems. But these do not happen to everyone.
- Anemia .
- Weight loss - just because you can't drink milk.
- A strange sound when breathing (Stridor) and/or a whistling sound from the chest (wheezing).
- A hiatal hernia is a condition where the upper part of the stomach bulges out.
Why is this happening?
The exact cause of Sandifer Syndrome is not yet known . However, doctors believe that the connection between the esophagus and stomach in young babies, the valve-like part, is underdeveloped, allowing stomach contents to easily flow back up into the esophagus. This is what causes GERD. This is being researched further.
So, the baby responds to the pain and discomfort caused by GERD with those 'dystonic movements', that is, by jerking the muscles. The baby suddenly moves his body here and there, arching his back, as if to fight this discomfort coming from within.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose Sandifer Syndrome?
If your baby has these symptoms, the first thing a doctor will do is ask you about your baby's symptoms (medical history) and then do a physical exam .
In most cases, no special tests are needed. However, sometimes tests may be done to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms and confirm that Sandifer Syndrome is indeed the cause. These tests include:
- Endoscopy: This involves inserting a tube with a small camera into the baby's esophagus and stomach to look inside.
- Esophagram (barium swallow): In this test, the baby is given a special liquid (barium) to drink, and X-ray pictures are taken as it passes down the esophagus. This allows the esophagus to be seen in action.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test checks the electrical activity of the baby's brain. This helps to rule out other conditions, such as epilepsy, which can cause seizures.
What are the treatments for this? Is this something to be worried about?
First of all, there is nothing to be too worried about . Sandifer Syndrome is usually a well-managed condition.
The main thing when treating this is to control the stomach acid from coming up into the throat, that is, the `GERD` condition . There are two main ways to do this: making changes in diet and, if necessary, using medications.
1. Dietary changes
This may be the first method a doctor tries.
- Thickening some of your formula: You can thicken your formula by adding about a teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce of formula, or by adding another thickener as directed by your doctor. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about how to do this. Your doctor will also tell you how much to feed and how often.
- Keeping the baby upright during and after feeding: It is important to place the baby upright in a chair or have someone hold the baby upright. This will reduce the chance of food coming back up.
- Burping (burping) the baby during and after breastfeeding: This allows the baby to release the air that has been swallowed.
- Some babies may be allergic to the proteins in cow's milk . Or they may be allergic to some formulas. Symptoms may worsen during this time. If so, you may need to control your diet if you are breastfeeding, or switch to a different formula as recommended by your doctor.
2. Medications
If dietary changes alone don't help, a doctor may prescribe anti-reflux medications that reduce the amount of stomach acid that comes up into the throat. For example:
- Proton pump inhibitors
- H2 blockers
After starting this medication, the baby's symptoms should gradually decrease and, over time, disappear completely.
Important: If your baby has a hernia, and the symptoms cannot be controlled with medication, surgery may sometimes be necessary. However, this is not necessary in most cases.
How soon will the baby recover after starting treatment?
After treatment begins, the baby's symptoms should gradually improve and eventually be completely cured . This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month. During treatment, the doctor will continue to monitor the baby. This means that they will check how the baby responds to changes in food and drink, whether the baby is healthy and growing well.
Is there anything we can do to prevent this situation from occurring?
Although we cannot prevent all the factors that contribute to this condition, there are things we can do to reduce the risk of developing Sandifer Syndrome:
- Do not give your baby a large amount of milk/food at once, but give it little by little several times throughout the day .
- Thicken the milk/food given to the baby a little (by adding something like rice flour).
- Keep your baby in an upright position while eating/feeding.
- Open the breasts well during and after breastfeeding.
If your baby has GERD, follow the treatment plan your doctor prescribes exactly. This will help your baby's symptoms improve and help them get the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
What should I expect if my baby has Sandifer Syndrome?
Sandifer Syndrome is a mostly temporary condition . It usually goes away on its own by the time a baby is about a year old. With treatment, whether through dietary changes or medication, the symptoms can lessen and the condition can get better more quickly.
However, if the baby is left untreated and continues to have difficulty feeding/feeding, it can lead to conditions like malnutrition, which can have lasting effects throughout childhood. However, this is very rare. So don't worry.
What time should I see a doctor?
If your baby has any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor immediately:
- If the baby is unable to drink milk/eat, or if he is unable to keep down what he eats (if he is vomiting).
- If the baby is losing weight .
- If symptoms worsen after starting treatment, or if the muscle twitching is more severe than usual .
What are the important questions to ask the doctor?
When you go to see the doctor, don't forget to ask questions like these:
- How much milk/food should I give my baby? How many times a day?
- What kind of thickener should I use to thicken breast milk/formula?
- Does my baby have any food allergies?
- If you are given acid-reducing medication, are there any side effects?
Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)
It's normal to feel sad and scared when your little one squirms and turns his neck after drinking milk. Also, it's also a concern when your baby isn't eating properly, isn't it? So, the most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as your baby starts showing symptoms of Sandifer Syndrome. This can prevent the baby from developing things like malnutrition and reduce the baby's discomfort.
Remember, this condition usually gets better by the time your baby is about a year old, or even earlier with the treatment your doctor prescribes. So, don't panic unnecessarily, talk to your doctor, and follow his or her instructions carefully. Your baby will get better soon!
` Sandifer Syndrome, GERD, acid reflux, infant spasms, baby arching back, feeding difficulties in babies, dystonic movements, Sandifer Syndrome, baby vomiting milk, stomach acid coming up into the throat
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