8 week old's head lag and hypotonia

[narmada]

Just wondering if someone could reassure me and my hubby.

DS2, aged 8 weeks, saw a paedeatrician yesterday because he has reflux. While she was examining him, she commented that he seemed to have no resistance in his neck when she pulled him up by his arms. She said even in newborns there is usually a tiny bit of resistance/ strength, where he seems to have none. She crossed his arms too, and said similarly that he seemed to have little resistance and his muscle strength was not what was expected.

So, she has recommended he has blood tests and a chromosome analysis to 'make sure nothing is being missed'. I asked her what she would be looking for and she didn't go into much detail - probably she was trying not to worry us. She said that she hoped it was something benign and something that would resolve in time.

We are trying not to worry but I was just wondering whether anyone else had experienced similar?

[milliem]

Hi, We've been through something similar with our son, who is now 15 months old.

He was seeing a neonatologist and he had head lag and decreased muscle tone in his arms.

The Dr said he hoped it was a benign hypotonia and told us that he would keep reviewing him to see how he develops. Anyway, although he still seems to have floppy arms when he's relaxed and chilling out, he as developed within all the normal milestons. He held his head up a little later than expected but not much and still probably within the "normal" range.

It's really hard not to worry ... I remember all to well how much we worried, and we still do. I hope I've been able to reassure you a little. Please let us know you things go.

[narmada]

milliem thans so much for your post. glad all turned out well eith your LO. will post an update when the tests are through in mid-jan. it is so hard not to worry ..i have already imagined the worst, e.g., muscular dystrophy. natural born worrier.

[IAmReallyFabNow]

My DD was diagnosed with hypotonia at around 10 months. She is 7 now. Please feel free to ask me anything.

[narmada]

Iamreallyfab thanks for the offer - that's really nice of you. Just wondering - did your DD have reflux, feeding problems or any other issues associated with the hypotonia?

[IAmReallyFabNow]

Hi

No, no reflux but she took a long time to get the hang of real food. We started her on baby rice at 6 months but iirc at 9 months I bought a blender and we went back to purees. Never knew it could be linked with hypotonia.

[TheUnmentioned]

Hi sorry to hijack but what is hypotonia?

Dd is 12 weeks and had her 6 week check (!) 2 weeks ago. her head lagged when lifted by the arms and she has reflux.

She is generally less strong than ds was in terms of standing etc (when held obv) but he walked at 10m so Im not sure if he was just v quick.

She holds her head up very well and tbh always has when on your shoulder although teh last few days she has been resting her head on my shoulder when held but she has been a little under teh weather.

[meltedmarsbars]

Hypo = lack of

Hyper = too much

-tonia = muscle tone.

Dd2 had early hypotonia, but hers was accompnied by lots of other symptoms and problems.

Tbh, its a marker for docs to help spot a huge range of possible problems - or it could just be a slightly late developing baby.

8 weeks is very young - try not to obsess, try to enjoy your lo's first christmas!

[narmada]

melted thanks - I do try not to worry. I am a really anxious person and more so at the moment as I have quite bad postnatal depression, but that's a different issue.... . I hope your DD is ok now.

Iamreallyfab glad no reflux. My DD1 was slow to get hang of food and also relatively slow to reach motor milestones, e.g., walking (17 mos) and she had no muscular probs. PS I don't know how often reflux is linked to other muscular conditions - my DD had it too and for her (and lots of other babies I know) the reflux was an isolated thing.