nearly 8 month infant still slow developmentally

[Menmen]

Hi, greetings from India....
I have a baby born on the 14th April this year.... induced birth... forceps... lump in the right side head which took around 2 months to go away..... was developing so well...big smiles ...happy baby etc... until he was 3 and half months old, he suddenly developed a form of seizures upon waking up ( he went rigid in the fetal position with eyes blinking rapidly for about 5-6 secs) This occurred every time he roused from sleep... doctors prescribed phenobarbitone..... but then he started bending forward suddenly only once a time...sometimes he would wake up crying out as if very frightened.... He has very limp muscle tone..doesn't hold head properly, doesn't reached for toys... stopped smiling (which he used to do)....After about 3 months on the medicine with no improvement but getting worse with the other kind of seizuers.... Another Doctor stopped the Phenobarbitone.. and prescribed A-Z vitamin and Gutclear..... Now he is much stronger... can hold head firmly for some times (though not too strongly)... smiles has returned ( i am overjoyed)... but still doesn't reach for things... but i can see so much improvement already..... but still concerned over his low muscle tone and the fact that he has some kind of 4-5 spasms right upon waking up ( which can sometimes be stopped by burping him)... and also he goes the potty only once in every 4-5 days...Please help and suggest as very limited resources this side

[Menmen]

Thank you so much for the reply... had consulted a neurologist who prescribed ACTH and Encorate..... now my baby hardly smiles... sleeps most of the time..was told to come back for review after 6 weeks..... just hope that baby will be much better.... btw.. mri was normal but eeg showed hypssarmthia (spelling check)...

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hello and welcome!
Hypotonia may be suggestive of a problem anywhere along the pathway that controls muscle movement. There can be several causes of this hypotonia like brain damage or encephalopathy due to lack of oxygen before or immediately after birth, defects in brain formation etc.Motor neuron diseases, muscular dystrophies are other  causes of hypotonia.Near term  delivery ,delayed milestones and associated movement, balance, and posture disorders all indicate the possibility of cerebral palsy in your child. Hypotonic CP is very rare compared to a spastic CP.Hypotonia is generally associated with damage to the cerebellum which controls balance and coordination. Any insult or damage to the growing brain can lead to developmental delays. Treatment for this condition is only symptomatic and supportive. Treatment of the associated symptoms, physiotherapy and early intervention programs are helpful. Do discuss your concerns with a Pediatric neurologist. He will be able to suggest best after clinical examination. Hope it really helps.
Best wishes!