Leg cramps in children

Introduction Pediatric leg cramps refers to muscle spasm in children's legs. Most of the leg cramps are caused by calcium deficiency, cold, and local nerve pressure. It is a voluntary contraction of muscles spontaneously. The muscle spasms that occur in the calves and toes are the most common, and the pain is unbearable at the time of the attack, especially when the cramps are in the middle of the night, and the people are often awakened for a long time. Insufficient rest or excessive rest can lead to accumulation of local acidic metabolites, which can cause muscle spasms. If you walk or exercise for too long, so that the lower limbs are over-tired or lack of rest and sleep, lactic acid can accumulate; sleep rest is too long, blood circulation slows down, and carbon dioxide accumulates.

Cause

1. Cold stimulation of the external environment, such as low room temperature in winter nights, when the quilt is too thin or the legs and feet are exposed to the outside.

2, fatigue, sleep, lack of rest or excessive rest lead to accumulation of local acidic metabolites, can cause muscle spasm. If you walk or exercise for too long, so that the lower limbs are over-tired or lack of rest and sleep, lactic acid can accumulate; sleep rest is too long, blood circulation slows down, and carbon dioxide accumulates.

3, sleep posture is not good, such as long-term supine, so that the quilt is pressed on the foot, or prone for a long time, so that the foot surface is on the bed, forcing some muscles of the calf to be absolutely relaxed for a long time, causing the muscles to "passively collapse."

an examination

Related inspection

Serum osteocalcin (BGP)

Unilateral leg or both legs with muscle spasms.

Differential diagnosis

Cramps are muscle spasms. Most of the leg cramps are caused by calcium deficiency, cold, and local nerve pressure. Usually you can make appropriate amount of calcium, more sun, pay attention to local warmth, but also pay attention to changes in posture, such as sitting posture, avoid nerve pressure, you can also do local muscle heat, massage, strengthen local blood circulation, if No improvement, you should go to the hospital for treatment.

Cause

High fever, epilepsy, tetanus, rabies, calcium deficiency, etc. can cause cramps, which are systemic, and localized such as gastrocnemius (commonly known as calf), often due to rapid exercise or work fatigue or severe twisting of the ankle Caused, often lie on one side of the leg or both legs while lying down or sleeping.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.