Question
Occasionally, the child’s legs are tightly clamped together, rubbing vigorously. What is this condition?
Answer
This situation may be a form of “leg clamping syndrome” in infants, characterized by infants intermittently clamping their legs together and rubbing their external genitalia. It usually occurs a few times a day, and some children may experience it multiple times a day. Possible causes include local irritation, psychological factors, and other environmental factors. The approach to handling this includes early detection and diagnosis, as well as diverting the child’s attention (such as by picking up the child, giving a toy, or going out to play) to reduce the occurrence of episodes. Parents should avoid scolding or forcibly stopping the child to prevent increasing their anxiety.