21/10/2026
🌻 CAN BABIES HAVE FND? 👶
We know Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects adults, teenagers and children.
But what about babies? Can FND begin in infancy, or even at birth?
The answer is that we don't yet know enough.
🧠 What does medical research tell us?
FND is a recognised neurological condition involving changes in how the brain controls and processes movement, sensation and other functions.
Although FND is diagnosed in children, confirmed diagnoses during infancy are exceptionally rare, and evidence remains limited.
👶 What symptoms might raise questions?
Babies can experience:
- Unexplained shaking or unusual movements
- Episodes of stiffening
- Seizure-like events
- Changes in responsiveness
- Apparent weakness or difficulties with movement
⚠️ Importantly, these are NOT specific signs of FND. They can have many medical causes, including epilepsy and other neurological conditions. Babies experiencing these symptoms need appropriate medical assessment.
🌻 Can babies be born with FND?
There is currently no established evidence that FND is a congenital condition.
However, the question of when functional neurological symptoms can first develop deserves further research.
💛 At FND Aware NZ, we believe questions are worth asking, especially when the answers are not yet clear.
Have you encountered functional neurological symptoms being investigated in a very young child?
We welcome respectful discussion and shared experiences. Personal experiences are valuable, but they do not establish a diagnosis.
🌻 FND Aware NZ
www.fndaware.nz
