Question
A 4-year-old girl clamps her legs together when she sits down, and her face turns bright red; she appears very excited. If you interrupt her, she gets angry. This situation is happening more frequently, and I’m too scared to let her sit down. What should I do?
Answer
Leg clamping syndrome refers to children habitually clamping their perineum while rubbing, which is relatively common in children aged 1 to 3 or pre-school children. The main manifestation is lifting the legs, with girls often rubbing or crossing their legs. She may sit on someone’s lap or on an angled table and chair, accompanied by watery eyes, a fixed gaze, and an excited expression. These actions usually occur before or after the child wakes up. Sometimes they are mistakenly identified as epilepsy, but careful observation of the nature of the actions and behavior can distinguish them. Suggested treatment methods include creating a relaxed and fun environment, diverting the child’s attention, not interrupting her and trying to redirect her attention; and not putting the child to bed too early, but rather waiting until they fall asleep before placing them down.