What Is Infant Shudder Syndrome?

Nothing is more precious than holding your newborn for the first time. Many parents experience a wave of emotions from love to anxiety. Those emotions can transform into terror when an infant suddenly starts shaking or shivering uncontrollably.

Infant shudder syndrome is a frightening condition that can catch parents off guard and leave them worried about the health of their infant. Understanding more about the condition and why it occurs can help parents know what to look out for so they can give their newborn the care and attention they need.

Understanding Infant Shudder Syndrome

Infant shudder syndrome is generally considered a benign condition that affects infants between 8 and 24 months old. Shuddering attacks are characterized by periods of brief but rapid shaking or shivering. Most parents notice shaking in the upper chest, shoulders, head, and neck. Shuddering episodes can last from a few seconds to 15 seconds or more and may occur in clusters. Unlike seizures, which can also cause shaking, the infant remains conscious throughout the entire shaking episode.

In most cases, infant shudder syndrome is a harmless condition that medical professionals believe may be linked to the normal development of a child’s nervous system. However, it can also be a sign of something more dangerous if the baby has other health conditions or signs of impairment.

Potential Legal Implications

Infant shudder syndrome is not the same as a seizure disorder. Many distinct characteristics set these two conditions apart, even though they may appear similar on the surface due to the involuntary movements of the infant. There are situations where caregivers providing a substandard level of medical care may misdiagnose seizures as the more benign infant shudder syndrome.

Seizures can be the result of a brain injury, severe infection, or a medical condition like epilepsy. Cerebral palsy caused by a birth injury can also cause a baby to shiver, which may also be misdiagnosed as infant shudder syndrome. Misdiagnoses and delaying treatment by negligent medical staff for these conditions may contribute to the development of life-altering birth injuries.

An infant shudder syndrome lawyer can help you advocate for your child and ensure they are getting the medical care they need if their seizure condition has been misdiagnosed as shudder syndrome. An attorney who understands medical negligence in infant shudder syndrome cases can help you seek to hold careless healthcare providers accountable for their actions. By examining the details of your situation, gathering medical documentation and expert witness testimony, a newborn shuddering malpractice attorney can build a compelling case to help you seek the compensation you deserve to cover your child’s current and future medical needs.

How a Birth Injury Attorney Can Help

A birth injury lawyer for shuddering baby syndrome can help you by offering your family the information and resources it needs to cope with your child’s diagnosis and medical needs. Ways a birth injury lawyer can help include:

• Thoroughly reviewing the circumstances of your situation
• Investigating the cause of your child’s birth injury
• Finding evidence to establish liability and negligence
• Consulting medical experts to support your claim
• Aggressively negotiating for maximum compensation
• Preparing a case for court when necessary

A medical malpractice attorney can manage all aspects of your claim, allowing you to focus on the health and care of your family.

An Infant Shudder Syndrome Lawyer Is Ready to Review Your Case

The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson has a singular focus on medical negligence cases. You can rest assured that our legal team has the experience and resources to advocate for you and your family.

Contact our office today and arrange a free consultation.