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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child Has Pins And Needles In Legs And Arms. Why?

Hello, my 5 yr old suffers from pins and needles a lot. He gets it a lot in bed and wakes up screaming but even gets it regularly whenhe sits on the toilet or other random times. other than when he is on the toilet when he gets it in his legs it usually effects his arms? Do you have any ideas why or how I can help stop this?
Mon, 26 Nov 2012
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Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist,  's  Response
hello there,
pin and needle sensation at any age needs to be evaluated by a neurologist.
generally it is due to some nutritional deficiencies at this age and rarely because of some anatomic or neurological abnormality like some kind of nerve injury or compression, exposure to radiation or toxins, peripheral neuropathies (but not common at this age) etc.

genarally overall malnutrition and specifically vitamin B12 deficiency is most common cause. to diagnose this vitamin B12 level is available at diagnostic centres and along with this peripheral blood smear would help.
some other tests like imagings may be required.

you should consult your pediatrician to discuss these possibilities and he may prescribe drugs like vitamin B12 or others as nescassary.

hiope my answer guides you well

wish your son a rapid recovery
Regards
Dr. Amit Kumar

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Pediatrician,  Dr. Rajiv K Khandelwal's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

It is not unusual to have a feeling of pins pricking when pressure on a nerve is released after some time. This shall be present only on the distribution of that particular nerve. Hence it is difficult to tell why you son complains about it on the legs and arms and while he is asleep. It would be appropriate that he be examined by a doctor to know the exact problem.

Another possibility would be to find out if he is having any issue in school with his peers or teachers and he is expressing them out subconsciously while he is sleeping. This shall have to be done by taking his teachers into confidence.

I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction.

Wishing your son all the best.

Regards,

RKK
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Child Has Pins And Needles In Legs And Arms. Why?

hello there, pin and needle sensation at any age needs to be evaluated by a neurologist. generally it is due to some nutritional deficiencies at this age and rarely because of some anatomic or neurological abnormality like some kind of nerve injury or compression, exposure to radiation or toxins, peripheral neuropathies (but not common at this age) etc. genarally overall malnutrition and specifically vitamin B12 deficiency is most common cause. to diagnose this vitamin B12 level is available at diagnostic centres and along with this peripheral blood smear would help. some other tests like imagings may be required. you should consult your pediatrician to discuss these possibilities and he may prescribe drugs like vitamin B12 or others as nescassary. hiope my answer guides you well wish your son a rapid recovery Regards Dr. Amit Kumar