Does it sound like my 12 week old baby has CP? - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

JordansMommy · 05-22-2004, 11:33 PM

Hello,

I would like to know if anyone here thinks that my child might have CP. Here is our story.

I developed preeclampsia at 34 weeks gestation, had very high blood pressure (160/100) and was put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was induced at 37 weeks, at which they gave me pitocin. Jordan had an adversed reaction to the pitocin; his heart rate dropped to low 70bpm for 30-60 seconds. They turned off the pitocin and it returned to normal. After an hour or so, they turned the pitocin back on and the same thing happened. After it happening again they did not give me anymore medicine and I preceeded to progress in labor on my own. I had a wonderful delivery (the doctor threatened to use forceeps after 5 minutes of pushing) and he was delivered a healthy 6 lbs 13 oz baby boy.

He developed jaundice a about 5-6 days after returning home. I asked my doctor on our 1 week check-up about the jaundice. He pressed on his nose, and said that it wasn't that bad. At his 1 month check up, he still had yellow coloring in his face and the whites of his eyes. I asked the doctor again and he said that if it did not go away within 3-4 weeks, let him know. That would mean my baby would be jaundice for 2 months!

I stopped breatsfeeding and put him on formula due to a cow milk allergy at about 7 weeks. The jaundice disapeared after 2 days.

He is now 12 weeks old, and when he is excited or upset, he will move his right leg and keep his left leg still. He also has clenched fists, but I am not sure if that is normal for his age. When he grabs things, he will only usually do it with his right arm. When on tummy time, his head will lay faced forward on the floor, but he is doing somewhat better now that I have put him on his tummy more. He can put pressure on both his legs and stand up. He can sit against the couch cushion without support, and he coo's and smiles non-stop. He is not stiff, nor floppy.

I took him to the doctors and told him about my concern, and he said his right leg was stronger than his left, and he told him to "move your left leg, you're worrying your mommy." That is all that happened.

Anyone, please give me some advice, or some information. I have been thinking about it non stop, and I cannot seem to enjoy him as a baby because I am too worried that he will have CP. Please, help me. I am a single mom, at age 20. Thank you,

Sarah and Jordan

Zagreus · 05-23-2004, 09:55 AM

I think it's probably difficult to tell at your baby's age. Remember that infants are neurologically immature and that infants born early even more so. Your fears may be justified, and your baby may be going through a normal process. I had some similar fears with my son, especially when he seemed very delayed in beginning to crawl. But he wasn't diagnosed until 15 months. His symptoms were mild and it can be difficult to distinguish mild symptoms from a normal range of development. That range is fairly wide.

Here's what I'd suggest -- talk to your pediatrician about the normal range of developmental milestones and ask him or her what you might reasonably expect to see your child do at different ages. And keep your eye on him. He might simply be at the late end of the range for some things and you might be seeing some early symptoms of a disability or motor skill developmental delay. If you're dissatisfied with your pediatrician's responses to your questions and concerns, seek a second opinion or a referral maybe to a pediatric neurologist.

Hope that helps.

JordansMommy · 05-24-2004, 10:37 AM

Thank you for the reply. I hope you are right about it being just something that a baby does. I feel a lot better now that he is constantly moving both right and left legs, and his hands aren't as clenched anymore. I will continue to monitor his movements and see how he is developing based on his age.

Thank you and God Bless

Sarah and Jordan