What causes startle response in my son?
Patient: My son was diagnosed with having an Exaggerated Startle Response episode last night. He has a cold and possible had a low grade fever and Sunday night was sleeping on my husbands lap. He jerked awake and went tonic with his body, legs. His arms were drawn up and fingers were clawed. What caused this? The neurologist says this just sometimes happens. He is 3. Doctor: Hi,  Is this the first episode? How long the jerking and posturing lasted then? Any drowsiness or sleepiness following the episode?  If first episode, sudden jerking and tonic posturing in a child who is suffering from fever and cold is likely a febrile seizure, especially if this was associated with up rolling of eyes or frothing from mouth.   Usually this needs nothing other than treatment of fever. Only in recurring cases we give anti epileptic prophylaxis.  Startle response is likely if such episodes comes during sudden sensory stimuli like loud noise or flash of light- this will be just momentary with no disturbance in sensorium or posturing.  Kindly get back with more details or discuss with your pediatrician.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Take care  Regards, Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK