Thumb in fist at nearly 9 months

[jilted]

Quick summary.
I've had my suspicions that something was not quite right since ds (9 months next week) was about 5 months. It was one day he was sat in his bumb0 (which he hated) he kept shaking his head side to side. Then he started throwing his back and head back quite forcefully when holding him. He just would not sit still. He still won't sit upright in any chair (just slumps or gets upset) and can't sit unaided for more than a minute or so. He doesn't try to catch himself when he falls.
He just seems to hate sitting.
Then I noticed he was having these jerking movements and making strange movements with his hands etc.
Then some staring episodes.
He had an eeg to check for seizures (a 40 minute one) and that was clear.
So all I have so far is everyone telling me 'it's because he's a boy, he's jut aking his time etc) we don't have any more appointments scheduled and have pretty much been discharged.

But, now he is almost 9 months, nt sitting or even really trying to do much, I can't help this nagging feeling.

I've also noticed his hands are much of the time fisted. Not always but he tries to eat sticking his fist in his mouth whilt the other hand rests fisted too.

He can open his hands and pick things up though.

This is my 3rd child and not had any concerns with the others.

He had a fever this last week too and I noticed his startle reflex was really exaggerated. He kept jumping and jerking his limbs.

In the development report after they saw him the Dr wrote tat he had no righting reflexes and his tone seemed variable. He ygoes very stiff when picked up. Like he doesn't want to be cuddled or confined in any way.

Indon't know what to think. Everyone keeps saying he seems fine or it may be reflux or just that he is a boy (patronising?!)

I don't feel anyone is taking me seriously.

Ds was extremely ill at 4 weeks and in ICU for 10 days on a ventilator.
Other than that he has generally been well.
He smiles and is happy a lot f the time but can also seem vacant and unresponsive.

[Bpr187]

@Littlesoul123
Hi, I hope you’re okay.. I’m guessing you’re asking because you have concerns about your little one. The worry is horrible!
My son is still delayed and has had an autism diagnosis but he’s healthy, happy and making progress at his own pace. He’s an absolute joy to be around! If you’re concerned, don’t take no for an answer to be referred xx

[Littlesoul123]

@Bpr187 how is your baby

[FirstTimeMumAM]

@jilted what was the outcome with your DS?

[Bpr187]

@jilted

I have been reading this thread and it describes my 7 month old son. I am worrying so much and have come on here to see if someone is experiencing the same as me. I appreciate this was quite a few years back but I was just wondering if you did get answers in the end? How is your son now?

I would really appreciate a response I am so worried :( x

[Barkies]

Thanks Ozzie, yes, I will ask his pediatrician at his 9 month appointment in a couple of weeks...I was just curious what happened with the previous boy, since it has been a couple of years now. I hope he is doing well!

[OzzieFem]

PotOfYoghurt
Oops.

[PotOfYoghurt]

Ozzie, this is a zombie.

[OzzieFem]

I'm with LadyKooKoo on this one and also think it's a neurological problem. Your son ideally should be seen by a neurologist at a children's hospital. Request a referral, because it needs to be diagnosed to prevent any long term problems occurring.

You know your child, the health care professionals do not. Problem is, so many new mums are unsure when faced by "professionals", they back down, when in their heart they know there really is a problem.

[Barkies]

Hi! Is there any update on your son, jilted? He sounds a lot like mine.

[lolalotta]

Oh I think there is no doubt about that, we were in hospital for 16days and she was laid flat in a bed hooked up to a gazillion wires for nearly all of it. Plus it takes them time to get over it and gather their strength again! Also the six weeks leading up to the op she was solely concentrating on getting enough oxygen around her body, I just didn't realise it and probably not doing a lot of developmental stuff!

[jilted]

Yep, I meant like a kiss, open mouth wide, shut, kiss sort of thing. Not sure if that is actually 'lip smacking' though?' hard to explain... glad your lo is doing well lolotta. I guess when they are so ill early on they lose a few weeks development too, do you think?

[stillenacht1]

For my DS is like a yumyumyum without the vocalisation- he would also go red around the eyes too (as far as I can remember)- his epilepsy has been controlled since 13 months and he is almost 11 now.

[lolalotta]

When you say lip smacking do you mean with a kiss sound? My DD does this too, it's her way of kissing!
(Melts)

[jilted]

Thank you, I'll try not to worry too much about the sitting thing then. I actually bought him one of those baby nest things yesterday again (I got rid of one a while ago) and he seems to be sitting ok on that for a while which is good.
I'll get some more video and stuff. I did a short film yesterday of him eating trying to stuff food in his mouth with his fist while the other hand was fisted too but not doing anything. however, he does not do this all the time and he can use both hands to pick toys up etc.
He doesn't seem to make fists much when sleeping though I've noticed.
When I first suspected IS I noticed him picking at his clothes a lot while staring too, he has also done the lip smacking thing. Having said that, it certainly isn't every day. Some days I notice things, other days I think, I'm just over reacting.
Like this morning, he was sitting quite happily in his sit me up playing with a toy with both hands and he seemed fine.

[stillenacht1]

My DS was dxd with epilepsy at 9 months. Left Frontal lobe partial seizures. He then was later dxd with autism.

At 9 months he had an EEG and that was what came back. He would stare a lot, smack his lips and get very tired after one of these 'episodes'.

Good luck OP I hope it all calms down for you and him but I agree if you are concerned keep pushing.

[mymatemax]

Hi Jilted,
Can you video on your phone the things you are concerned about and ask for a referral to a developmental paed and physio
DS2 has mild CP and autism.
the not sitting isn't a concern at his age but I would be concerned by the variable tone and lack of reflexes is something that should be followed up.
He may just be taking his time to catch up following his illness but don't be fobbed off, you know him best.

[bauhausfan]

Btw I don't think it's odd that he isn't moving around much at 9 months - neither of mine walked or cruised until over one year old.

[bauhausfan]

EEGs don't indicate epilepsy - only if a seizure is actually taking place at that moment. My son has epilepsy but all his tests are clear (EEG, ECG, MRI, blood, urine etc). It took me FOUR years to persuade the powers that be that y son had epilepsy. Grr! Don't take their word for it - keep going back.

[lolalotta]

She has no other problems, she just does everything in her own time. Mind you her big sister was never in a hurry either, she didn't walk until 18 months. Wow, it sounds like your son made an amazing recovery! It amazes me what they capable of overcoming when they are so little xxx

[jilted]

Thank you Lolotta. It is awful isn't it? Was your dd just generally a bit slower or does she have any cp or other problems?
Two of his fingers were ischemic, both black like gangrene. We were worried he would lose some of them but amazingly they both healed and ne you can't even tell. I hadn't even thought about that actually but he does tend to clench both, I've not really noticed which one more.
Glad your lo got there in the end. ??

[lolalotta]

The lines in his hand they put on, is it the same hand he has bother with?

[lolalotta]

Hugs to you jilted, that sounded awful. my DD had open heart surgery at 6 weeks and ended up on a ventilator too in PICU. I know the heart wrenching worry of when they are so low of oxygen. She is 11 months now and has only been bottom shuffling for two weeks and was slow to sit up too. One thing I must say is once they get going it is at a very speedy rate. I do feel you should trust your gut instinct, especially seeing as he is not your first. Good luck to you, and I hope this either resolves itself of it's own accord and he is just developing in his own time or you find some answers xxx

[jilted]

Lotta, he had bronchiolitis which was very severe. When I took him in his oxygen levels were extremely low and he was barely with us. His blood sugars were also extremely low. The emergency Drs at our local rushed him off to Kings in London where he was put on a ventilator for ten days. I really do wonder if this has to do with it. He also got a blood clot in his hand as a complication of lines they were putting in him.
He was basically in a coma most of that time.
Dewey, my first thoughts were cp. My nephew has severe co and my brother noticed his hands once too.

I'll keep a look out for that insanity.

[lolalotta]

What was you son seriously ill with at 4 weeks? Could it be related to that do you think?

[DeWee]

Apologies if this has been suggested, my compter screen has decided to flicker rapidly, so I've been struggling to read thoroughly. But the thumbs in fist I thought was one marker for cerebal palsy.

Having said that, it can be so mild it just presents as a slight weekness. The adult I know who has this (thumbs still naturally go inside fists) you wouldn't know until she told you.She said she was considered slightly clumsy as a child, but it was only after a scan fro another reason was it picked up, and then the consultant pointed to her hands and said that should have given her a clue.