Desperate for Help!

I am a parent of a 6 month old daughter in desperate search of answers. I think I should give some background information to help understand the total situation.

My wife and I as well as or family history have had no  major illnesses or disabilities. My daughter was born a week later than doctors had anticipated and then only by induced labor. There were no serious complications.

Our daughter has never been tempermental and does not cry without reason, such as being hungry.

Now starting with the problem. Since birth when our daughter was tired or hunrgy she has had the habit of lifting her legs up in almost a 90degree angle, mostly the right leg. Along with her right arm extended over her face.

When holding her or while having a pacifier in her mouth she does not do this. Expect ocassionaly for having her arm over her face, such as an adult would do to shield their eyes.

She has also been late by about two months on milestones. Although she did eventually accomplished them. So while she is 6 months now she has accomplished milestones to about 4 months. Such as holding her head up. But has yet to turn over and doesnt do well on her belly.

While holding her up and putting her feet to the ground she goes completely limp and does not show any sign of strength. However, her legs are very healthy and she kicks and moves around alot when laying down.

She laughs quite often and is very aware and is constantly making noises.

I am currently working in Korea. My wife took our daughter to a Korean clinic, a small clinic. After examining her for about 10 minutes and seeing the behaivor of my daughter lifting up her leg, he said he thinks she has a  mild form of cerabal palsy and that we should take her to bigger hospital to get her tested and diagnosed.

I have made an appointment but it will take a month for them to see us. It's killing us. We feel as if our world has crumbled. A month to find out what is really going on seems to be an insane amount of time.

Can anyone offer me any insight? any thoughts at all?  Please help!!!!

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is your daughter doing?
Did she have any problem at birth? Did she cry after birth? At her delivery was the amniotic fluid meconium stained?
Did she require any form of resuscitation at birth?
If answer to any of above question is yes, then it might be a form of cerebral palsy.
If answers are no then it might be due to some seizure or seizure like disorder.
It has to be confirmed with help of CSF analysis, and EEG study.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[laineyful]

Without obvious reason for CP you should investigate other causes. Genetic testing should be done also. It may just be something she grows out of , but its better to know so you know how to help her. I thought my daughter had CP also....at 2 1/2 we found out she had Rett Syndrome. So get her to a geneticist to rule genetic reasons out/in. Also, she should see a Neurologist. Also, small seizures can cause uncontrollable motor movements so agree that an EEG is a good test to have done through a Neurologist. Good luck.

[MidwifeMom]

I have an 8 month old diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia CP.  Get in with a pediatric neurologist.  She also needs to see a physical therapist.  If they have a developmental pediatrician there, see them too.  You should start physical therapy as soon as possible.  They should teach you things to do at home.  She should have some testing done and brain scans.  The worst part of a child with CP is the wait and see how they do, how they develop, etc.  It sounds like she has hypotonia. My son has the oppostive and is still at a 2 month developmental level.  There is nothing I can do to calm your anxiety or make you feel better.  If you can get into counseling, it really does hlep.  See if there is a yahoo group in Korea that deals with children with special needs. Other parents, especially if you are not from that area, will be a tremendous resource.  hang in there and love your daughter, celebrate the accomplishments she makes, regardless of how small.....  Good luck,...Michele

[Ericsmom]

Your best bet is to see a pediatric neuroligist. Some think CP is not the case when there are no events to present. However, CP does occur when there is a kink in the umbical cord or wrapped around the baby's neck as the blood flow becomes restricted. the same happens when the mother suffers a migraine (type) headache during pregnancy. I know...I have a 23 year old son with CP, spastic dyplegia. His therapist predicted he would never walk unassisted...he walks, runs, jumps, bikes, drives a car all unassisted. He suffers with ADD and learning disabilities but it could have been so much worse.  All due to the amazing surgery performed at age 2 1/2 and much PT/ot st. Selectvie posterior rhizotomy....research it.