Locking up/clenched fists/holding breath

[Rdc]

Has anyone else’s baby done this before? Our little guy is seven weeks old and has recently begun to go from completely happy, cooing and smiling to suddenly clenching both his fists, turning bright red and holding his breath, all his muscles are locking up too. His muscles locking up is the most concerning. His arms go stiff across his body, and his back and neck are completely still as a board. It has only happened once when he was really crying. All the rest of the times have happened when he is relatively happy. We have not let him “work through it” (meaning, watch to see what he does and how he comes out of it) because it is too scary to see him hold his breath that long. It seems to be happening more often too, about three times a day.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[TrubearJ]

I'm not sure, but is he having something like a seizure??? You might want to call his ped and check this out.

[MommaC]

Hmm...sounds a little seizurish to me, too...I'd definitely call the pediatrician (or his nurse). My daughter does this thing where she clenches her hands, stiffens her jaw, back, arms, and neck...and then shakes. But she seems to be in control of it. She does it when she's mad, when she really wants something, when she's excited, and when she wants to be funny. It doesn't sound quite the same, but you're the one who can see what he's doing. I'd make the call just to be safe. :)

[mikster]

Our baby had apnea-like seizures (lack of oxygen) in hospital before going home, and an MRI showed signs of brain injury. He is on anti-seizure medicine and as he grows the medicine is weaning...but we have seen this activity lately and we think it is a seizure (to be confirmed by follow up EEG). How our baby does it is: clenched fists - elbows down, fists by shoulders, pursed lips - in a strange way, stiff, nothing I usually see him do, stiff neck/legs/body - legs are stiff but slightly bent, not straight.

I would definitely check this out if you haven't already.