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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Strange Behaviour Of Flopping And Head Banging In A Child?

My 2-year old was taken to his pediatrician 2 weeks ago for the strange behavior of banging his head on the floor and walls. She drew 2 blood tests and said she was checking for gland issues. also she referred us to see a nuerologist (of which none covered by my insurance sees 2-year olds). The issues have gotten worse and more frequent. She insists nothing is wrong with him, but i dont believe this. This is not normal behavior for a child. The tantrums have gone from 1-3 minutes to sometimes 30 minutes of flopping and head banging. I sm desperately afraid for him. And no one can help me with whats wrong. Any suggestions?
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

Head-banging and flopping are not uncommon in toddlers and can be a sign of frustration or seeking attention, but if the behavior is frequent and prolonged, it is important to have it evaluated by a medical professional.

The fact that your pediatrician has already referred you to a neurologist indicates that she is taking the situation seriously and wants to rule out any potential underlying medical conditions that could be causing the behavior. Some possible medical conditions that could lead to head-banging and flopping include seizures, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and neurological disorders.

The blood tests that were ordered by your pediatrician were likely to rule out any gland issues such as thyroid dysfunction, which can sometimes present with similar symptoms.

It is important to follow up with the neurologist as soon as possible, even if there are no providers in your insurance network that accept two-year-old patients. Your pediatrician should be able to assist you with finding a provider who can see your child, even if it means seeking care out of network or paying out of pocket.

In the meantime, it may be helpful to observe your child closely and take notes on any triggers or patterns that may be associated with the behavior. This information can be helpful for the neurologist or other medical provider when evaluating your child.

Remember, early intervention is key in identifying and treating any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your child's behavior.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Strange Behaviour Of Flopping And Head Banging In A Child?

Hi, Head-banging and flopping are not uncommon in toddlers and can be a sign of frustration or seeking attention, but if the behavior is frequent and prolonged, it is important to have it evaluated by a medical professional. The fact that your pediatrician has already referred you to a neurologist indicates that she is taking the situation seriously and wants to rule out any potential underlying medical conditions that could be causing the behavior. Some possible medical conditions that could lead to head-banging and flopping include seizures, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, and neurological disorders. The blood tests that were ordered by your pediatrician were likely to rule out any gland issues such as thyroid dysfunction, which can sometimes present with similar symptoms. It is important to follow up with the neurologist as soon as possible, even if there are no providers in your insurance network that accept two-year-old patients. Your pediatrician should be able to assist you with finding a provider who can see your child, even if it means seeking care out of network or paying out of pocket. In the meantime, it may be helpful to observe your child closely and take notes on any triggers or patterns that may be associated with the behavior. This information can be helpful for the neurologist or other medical provider when evaluating your child. Remember, early intervention is key in identifying and treating any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your child s behavior. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician