Question

My premature baby was born 50 days ago and is now three months old. When the baby uses its legs, it will tremble for several seconds. What could be the cause of this phenomenon?

Answer

Premature babies may experience leg tremors due to several reasons: first, the nervous system of newborns is not fully matured, leading to insufficient muscle control and resulting in unintentional tremors. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and will not affect intellectual development. As the baby grows older, these tremors will naturally diminish and disappear. Second, brain cell damage, such as hypoxia and asphyxia, may also cause some infants to experience leg tremors and abnormal muscle tension. Lastly, leg tremors in some infants may be a manifestation of neonatal hypocalcemia. It is recommended to supplement calcium and vitamin D after the baby’s intestinal function recovers.