Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

6 month old started rolling eyes back

14 replies

Celinelatrine · 19/02/2009 10:59

Hello I'm new here but am desperately searching the net for any similar experiences.

My 6 month old baby boy suddenly started rolling his eyes back in a kind of slow blink with fluttering eyelids. It seems to happen more when he is eating, tired or frustrated.

I went to A&E at the hospital when it first happened as I thought it might be some kind of seizure but they medics say it doesn't fit any seizure pattern as he's aware through the episodes and they are too fleeting. He is otherwise fine and healthy in every way.

Anyone out there experienced anything like this?

Celine

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FossilSister · 19/02/2009 14:17

Hi - this happened to my friend's baby and our GP sent her for a check with specialist. All OK, but they were concerned like you about seizures. It may be worth seeing your GP rather than A and E.

Original poster

Celinelatrine · 19/02/2009 14:28

Thanks for the advice. We have a appointment with our GP tomorrow hoping for a referral.

OP posts:

giraffescantdancethetango · 19/02/2009 14:32

When I looked after a wee boy and he had a reflex anoxic seizure his rolled to the back of his head. Doesnt sound exactly the same but might be worth looking at the symptoms just incase you spot any of the others? link Because the paramedics had no idea what had happened and it was only a Dr that told me what had happened - and that was only she asked her more senior Dr for advice. (his parents were away when it happened, so was me that was there)

I have looked after a lot of children though whose eyes roll back when they are tired/falling asleep.

Mum1369 · 19/02/2009 14:39

Our friends little boy had this too. He went for all kinds of tests - MRI etc - but all came back absolutely fine & he just grew out of it. At the time someone suggested it might be linked to reflux.

Original poster

Celinelatrine · 19/02/2009 15:52

Thanks it is reassuring to hear of others that were fine.

OP posts:

grammac · 07/11/2009 23:26

My healthy, happy 8 month-old Grandson started doing this last week.

In doing some research, I came across Paroxysmal Atonic Upgaze, which is a good description of this.

You can find this by typing it into a Google search.

jill3538 · 24/02/2020 03:30

Hi Celine,

I was wondering what was the outcome from your visit with the GP? My 6 month old grandson just started doing this.

Sophiemacymalone · 18/03/2023 17:27

@Celinelatrine & @jill3538 did either of you get any conclusion from this?

my little boy is 9 months and doing exactly as you described when either tiered, eating or smiling at people.

I am very worried because he had a difficult birth and had to have an MRI scan on his brain (which came back okay). Any info please let me know.

Purplescrubs · 30/11/2023 21:09

Hi @Sophiemacymalone @jill3538 @Celinelatrine does anyone have an update? My 6 month old little girl has started doing this and I’m really worried. Thank you

Sophiemacymalone · 30/11/2023 22:04

@Purplescrubs i don’t have a lot of info for you. My sons now 1.5 years and sees a specialist more as a cautionary thing once every 6 months due to his birth (nothing wrong so far, very normal development). I told his specialist doctor about this eye movement and she said it shouldn’t be something to worry about, but to keep an eye on it. To be honest she didn’t really seam to understand what I meant. He still does it by much less as time goes on- it still seams to be around teething time and when he smiles or gets shy?

im trying to get it on video for next time we see the doctor, but it’s tough it’s over very quickly and it’s unpredictable when he does it.

TheAmberFox · 16/04/2024 21:31

Hi there,

Any updates on this? My daughter is doing the same thing and we are very concerned! We are desperately looking for answers…

Ralphieroo · 13/06/2024 20:19

Hi There, have you had any updates? My little 7 month old has started doing this within the last week. We went to A&E because we were worried about seizures but they also said it doesn’t fit the pattern. He does it mostly while feeding (solids) and breastfeeding. He’s also done it a few times while playing or falling asleep/waking up. We’ve been advised to keep a diary and go to GP for referral if we are concerned. We will go for referral anyway, but wondering how others have got on, and for those that grew out of it how long it took?
thanks :)

emmmy222 · 07/03/2025 23:40

Ralphieroo · 13/06/2024 20:19

Hey! My daughter started doing this she's 9 months. What did they tell you it was?

Weevle84 · 08/03/2025 00:51

Hi my daughter used to do this when eating, on a swing and a few other scenarios. We were seen by a specialist and I can’t remember what it was called but she grew out of it within about 6 months. Randomly you have more of a chance of getting it if there is a history of benign familial hand tremor in your family which there is in mine. My daughter is now nearly 9 and very healthy and happy and no issues at all.

Flip