Desperate for Help!

[tavisty]

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!!!!

[Bree71]

Sounds very familiar to me, my son who is now 8yo has CP.  All I can really tell you is you have to be patient, CP is not readily diagnosed as it is a general diagnosis but through therapy she can achieve alot and the good news is it will never get worse.

[ponderousmom]

was the labor induced with pitocin??? it can have some nasty side effects, cp being one of them.

http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/articles/birth/pitocin_newsletter.htm

this link has more info--im still learning all the damage it did to my daughter

[hldeskin]

A lot of times a specialist will work to get you in quicker if you push them.  They told us they couldn't get my daughter into the pulmunologist until Feb. 25th but after a lot of pushing and tons of phone calls they fit us in the schedual on Jan 8th.  (I was calling the 5th!)  If you simply can not wait try talking to someone in schedualing and explain your situation.  My daughter is also 6 months old and I completely understand your anxiety.  When something is wrong with your baby girl you want to know what it is NOW.  Good luck!  

[Logan206]

I have a child about the same age (almost 7 mo) who is also behind on milestones and displays what I think are some 'awkward' movements/positions with his arms.  No diagnosis of CP (yet), but we have been told our son has low muscle tone (he's a little floppy and poor head/trunk control--but improving now).  I'm not a doc, but can share what my doc and physical therapist have said.  I'm in the states and child qualified for a state program for early intervention.

Our therapist said to work on encouraging motor skills.  We did/do tons of tummy time, which he hates, but it has really helped with head control.  We did simulated rolls, to teach him how to roll over.  Basically, lie them on their back and cross one leg over the other, which initiates a reflex and helps them start to roll over. We also had to work hard to encourage reaching and grasping, by placing toys against his hands for him to grab onto.  Having him sit at an inclined position helped with this. We've now added "practice" sitting to the exercise routine.  We sit him up (with support by holding his waist) and try to teach him to place his hands to the sides to 'catch' himself when he loses balance.  Our son didn't bear weight on his legs until a few weeks ago.

My doc told us to go ahead and make an appt with a neurologist (but said we prob wouldn't get in for 3 months).  Doc and therapist both have told us that it's really tough  to diagnose and it's likely that they'd wait until he's 1 year before doing any invasive tests (MRI, etc) anyway.  

I'll be hoping for the best for you and your daughter.  Hopefully she is just delayed and will catch up.