Spasmus nutans is a disorder affecting infants and young children. It involves rapid, uncontrolled eye movements, head bobbing, and sometimes, holding the neck in an abnormal position.
Most cases of spasmus nutans begin between age 4 months and 1 year. It usually goes away by itself in several months or years.
The cause is unknown, although it may be associated with other medical conditions. A link with iron or vitamin D deficiency has been suggested. In very rare cases, symptoms similar to spasmus nutans may be due to certain types of brain tumors or other serious conditions.
Symptoms of spasmus nutans include:
Spasmus nutans that isn't related to another medical problem, such as brain tumor, requires no treatment. If the symptoms are caused by another condition, the provider will recommend appropriate treatment.
Rajsekar Rajaraman is a Neurologist and a Pediatrics doctor in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Rajaraman has been practicing medicine for over 12 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spasmus Nutans, West Syndrome, Epilepsy, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. He is board certified in Pediatric Medicine and Neurology and licensed to treat patients in California. Dr. Rajaraman is currently accepting new patients.
Kelly Knupp is a Neurologist in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Knupp has been practicing medicine for over 25 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Dravet Syndrome, Epilepsy with Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures, Spasmus Nutans, and Myoclonus Epilepsy Partial Seizure. She is board certified in Neurology and Pediatric Medicine and licensed to treat patients in Colorado. Dr. Knupp is currently accepting new patients.
Raman Sankar is a Neurologist and a Pediatrics doctor in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Sankar has been practicing medicine for over 36 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Spasmus Nutans. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spasmus Nutans, Epilepsy, West Syndrome, and Seizures. He is board certified in Pediatric Medicine and Neurology and licensed to treat patients in California. Dr. Sankar is currently accepting new patients.
Usually, this disorder goes away on its own without treatment.
Call for an appointment with your child's provider if your child has rapid, movements of the eyes, or head nodding. The provider will need to perform an exam to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms.
Hertle RW, Hanna NN. Supranuclear eye movement disorders, acquired and neurologic nystagmus. In: Lambert SR, Lyons CJ, eds. Taylor and Hoyt's Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 90.
Rucker JC, Lavin PJM. Neuro-ophthalmology: ocular motor system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley's and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.