Question
A six-month-old baby has been shaking and bobbing her head recently, initially at night and later during the day as well. Sometimes she shakes from side to side, and when parents try to guide her by clapping and nodding, she also shakes her head. Apart from these behaviors, the baby’s eating and sleeping are normal, and she laughs when tickled. The parents are worried whether this is a symptom of other health issues.
Answer
Head shaking may be a symptom of calcium deficiency. In infants, calcium deficiency in the early stages may manifest as restlessness, excessive sweating, fatigue, restless sleep, night terrors, or crying. In terms of physical symptoms, there may be softening of the skull bones, square head, delayed teething, delayed closure of fontanelles, hair loss at the nape of the neck, pigeon chest, deformities in the wrists and lower limbs, “O” legs or “X” legs. If careful parents notice their child experiencing early symptoms such as night terrors or night crying, they should seek calcium supplementation treatment as soon as possible.