Brief Answer:
Doubt anything serious but does deserve a look see

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am a neurologist. Usually when a child (especially a new born of nearly 4 months does something like crying it is on the basis of either pain or fear....and of course, want for something such as hunger or needing to be changed, etc.

In the case of your baby sneezing when she gets a cold and screaming out in pain for several seconds I believe it's one of these 2 possibilities. You didn't specify whether or not the scream comes BEFORE or AFTER the sneeze.

You say you also hear a "tick" noise when she sneezes...can you tell from this noise may be coming from? The nose, mouth, back of the neck? Does this scream occur if she were to sneeze let's say in response to something in the air such as pepper, or some smell that could be slightly irritating, without having a cold or the sniffles?

Have you discussed this problem with the child's pediatrician because that would be my first suggestion to you for a more hands on approach to this dilemma. Again, my thought is that your child is going to let out a yelp if she is in pain or if she suddenly becomes surprised which I suppose is also possible. I certainly do recall instances when even our children did that sort of thing. They suddenly sneezed and as it caught them off guard they would immediately start crying and we would rush to pick them up and they would just as immediately stop crying.

Is she consolable when you go to pick her up after this episode or is there some type of persistent behavior that she is uncomfortable?

And so the bottom line is this I think that since this problem is persistent and reproducible in the sense that you have a pattern that you've discovered whereby your baby lets out a cry of discomfort during the cycle of a sneeze when she has a cold that I believe your pediatrician needs to examine her and possible get some diagnostic studies. Otherwise, if nothing is really found architecturally wrong in the head, the neck, the shoulders, etc. then, perhaps you can discuss strategies with the pediatrician as to how you might approach things to try and avoid or distract her when you notice this thing is about to happen.

Maybe you could call her name (gently, not screamed) and see if you can get her to respond to the sound of your voice just as the sneeze is ready to be produced or just after and see if taking her mind off the sneeze itself helps. Perhaps, you can do the same by picking her up if you can catch it right away?

Those would be my suggestions. Have you asked your parents or friends who have children if they've ever witnessed such behavior in their kids? You could see if it's mentioned in blogs as well....I'm sure there's a bulletin board somewhere in the vastness of cyberspace where one human being has mentioned something about this.....who knows, maybe there are extraterrestials posting on some of Earth Based boards as well!

That way you could solicit intergalactic or interstellar opinions as well. You know kids are all the same no matter whether they're from Earth or Alpha Centauri! HAHA!

Let me say that if you like to direct any questions to me any more and I do hope you'll give me a chance at helping you in the future then, look me up at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Otherwise, if there is useful information in this writing and you are so inclined would you do be a big favor and leave me a little written feedback with a STAR RATING of this inquiry? I hope I've given you a bit of insight into this interesting question. I think your little one is going to be just fine.

Also, if there are no other comments or questions would you please consider CLOSING THE QUERY on your end so that the network can properly credit this work and archive it for future reference?

This query required 38 minutes of physician directed time for review, research, and final draft documentation for envoy.

All the best to you and the babe!

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