What Causes Shoulder Shrugs While Having Cold?

Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 May 2014 Answered on

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my daughter is 13 three days ago she started having uncontrollable shoulder shrugs when she gets cold but they go away soon as I get her warm

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be shivering or tics

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.

By what you say it looks like she is having shivering.But I don't think a 13 year old will have only shoulder shrugs while cold. It should involve whole body. The other possibility is tics - which are involuntary movements and could occur due to various reasons. I have a few questions for you -
1. Has it happened any time before?
2. Did she have any fever before all this started?
3. Did she have any streptococcal infection in the past and if so at what age or how long back?
4. Does she have any seizures before?
5. Is there any family history of seizures?
6. Did she have measles in the past?
7. Does she scream or vocalize uncontrollably during the shrugs?
8. If you don't mind can you upload a video of her having these jerky movements?

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (5 hours later)

It has never happen before no fever no history of seizures no measles I will video when it happens again she has had strep but it's been over a year ago no scream or vocalize

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please upload the video

Detailed Answer:
Hi...thank you for the trust in me.

I think if I can see the video and then get back to you, it will be appropriate. Other option is if it is very frequent, consulting a paediatrician. But I think if it very infrequent and it doesn't occur in the paediatrician's office, it will be difficult even for the doctor to diagnose this condition. But there are other corroborative evidences which may point out to this and I suggest you get an ASO titre done for your kid.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj