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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

18 month old has stopped walking

73 replies

saraha321 · 13/08/2015 20:57

Hi
I'm new to these type of forums but I really need some help/advice. My 18 month old has been walking for a good couple of months quite happily then 2 weeks ago she just stopped and hasn't walked since. She will pull herself up on furniture but won't stand there for long before going down on her hands and knees. When I go to stand her on the floor she tucks up her feet and knees.
She has been off her food and very clingy and crying a lot at night. At times, mainly first thing in the morning and last thing at night she doesn't want to be touched or picked up and will just lay on her back.
We've been to both the doctors and hospital and been told that she's probably just going through a phase or that its a knock on effect from a cold she had a month ago. I don't agree. There is something wrong. When I go to bath her she won't sit up and screams the house down. She is also refusing to sit in her highchair.
Am I over-reacting? What could be wrong? Who should I speak to? We've had x rays done on her pelvis and they've come back fine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Kangaroosjump · 13/08/2015 21:21

I think I'd be demanding a 2nd or 3rd opinion till someone found out why, fobbing it off on a cold doesn't seem fair

A virus I suppose could cause it but not a simple cold surely?

sebsmummy1 · 13/08/2015 21:36

Oh god what a worry, is your HV involved?

3littlefrogs · 13/08/2015 21:42

You know your child best.

Go back again. This doesn't sound right at all.

Was it a very bad cold? Did it last a long time?

3littlefrogs · 13/08/2015 21:47

Is she up to date with her immunisations?

I don't want to worry you, but have they thought of/excluded Guillain-Barre syndrome? It is extremely rare, but you should ask the GP if it has been considered.

So sorry your Dd is poorly.

Croatianmum · 13/08/2015 23:59

Please please go back to dr!

Superworm · 14/08/2015 00:08

Did they do bloods and investigations at the hospital? What was the plan they have you? I would go back and ask for a second opinion and plan of what to do to help her.

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 14/08/2015 00:12

Go back, and keep going back, do not leave till you have answers. Did they X-ray all of her or just hips?

Original poster

saraha321 · 14/08/2015 12:37

Thank you so much for all your responses. I wasn't expecting to get so much advice, thank you all.
She only had a slight cold but did get diagnosed with Croup but it cleared up after a few days and wasn't bad by all accounts.
She is up to date with her immunisations and we did look at Guillian-Barre Syndrome but got fobbed off by both doctors and hospital.
I'm expecting a phone call from hospital today to discuss what's going to happen next. I've asked for further tests including potential MRI. The doctor wanted to x ray her back but the radiographer person refused saying it was too much radiation, which I do get but if it needs doing. The bloods they tested for blood count, liver and kidney function and protein in the muscle, I think. All came back fine except for a slight rise in the protein one but they said this was nothing unusual.
Not really sure what to do next. How do you go about getting a second opinion? Thanks everyone

OP posts:

Kangaroosjump · 14/08/2015 12:44

I think you can demand to be referred to a paediatrician... I would keep harassing the GP daily

pumpkinsweetie · 14/08/2015 13:14

This doesn't sound normal at all.
I would get to the GPs and hassle them for some answers asap.

Original poster

saraha321 · 14/08/2015 13:28

Thanks. I'm going to go back to GP on Monday and ask to be referred to the children's hospital we have near us. It's just they make you feel like you're just making a fuss and wasting their time. I always go in fighting but come out feeling crap and that I've not achieved what I wanted.
But enough's enough, i'm not going to stop until we've got answers
Thanks

OP posts:

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 14/08/2015 15:11

Go to the children's hospital - take videos of her in pain. Don't leave. They have to take you seriously.

confusedandemployed · 14/08/2015 15:18

My DD stopped walking (or rather, started walking with a pronounced limp) when she was 14 months. We had x-rays, MRIs, saw 2 paediatric orthopods but no one could find anything wrong. This went on for 2 months. We spent virtually every day at one healthcare setting or another. She was whiny, clingy and very unhappy.
At the start of this period she had tonsillitis and this seems to have been the catalyst. Then, suddenly - and I mean overnight - she got better.
The general opinion is a particularly bad case of transient synovitis (irritable hip syndrome). It's brought on by a virus and usually only lasts a day or two. The thinking is that DD just contracted virus after virus, and had relapse after relapse.
I hope it's something equally un-sinister for your DD. The fact she has a cold makes me think it may be, but equally you need to rule out anything worse because transient synovitis is a differential diagnosis.

I hope she's better soon

LurkingAtYou · 14/08/2015 15:34

Hi Sarah exactly the same thing happened to my 17 month old a few years ago, we had many GP and A&E visits and they couldn't work out what was wrong- wrongly diagnosed a virus, then constipation, said he'd had an accident we hadn't seen, did x-rays and couldn't find anything wrong.

Eventually I contacted the HV who took us seriously and the GP sent him straight to hospital, they suspected Guillan-Barre. He was transferred to another hospital and diagnosed with diskitis after an MRI. I remember them asking me if he'd had a bad cold- I think this may have been the start of it?

It's very rare but what is happening with your daughter sounds identical. My son had just started walking- then he stopped walking and sitting up. I couldn't bath him or feed him sitting. He was most comfortable on all fours or lying down.

Keep on at the GP if you know she isn't right.

Original poster

saraha321 · 14/08/2015 18:33

Hi LurkingAtYou. Thank you so much for your response. We did a lot of research and came across diskitis and it sounds just like what she's going through. We suggested it to the doctor at the hospital who immediately rejected it because she is crawling and doesn't seem in pain all the while. What were your son's symptoms? She is definatley distressed each morning and night and doesn't want to be touched or moved and lays on her back. She has also had constipation too and been off her food. the most comfortable position for her is snuggled front facing into our chest with her head in the crook of our neck or in her pushchair or car seat. Tonight we had yet another screaming episode in the bath and had to wash her laying down. Thank you so much for your response. I have wanted an MRI for over a week now so i'm going to push for it definatley now after your response

OP posts:

Original poster

saraha321 · 14/08/2015 18:35

Hi Confusedandemployed. Thanks for your response. We were hoping that she would just get better but she doesn't appear to be at all. We looked into irritable hip and again suggested it to the doctor who dismissed it as she doesn't seem in pain when her legs and hips are manipulated. I hope its unsinister too but the longer its going on the more i'm worrying. Thanks for your response. I'll keep you all posted

OP posts:

GoodtoBetter · 14/08/2015 18:40

My DD had irritable hip at about the same age and wouldn't walk (was much more shortlived than your DD and didn't cause as much pain/distress) and it wasn't painful to manipulate it.

Findtheoldme · 14/08/2015 18:40

My daughter has had to have several X-rays and while it is a worry soemtimes they are needed. My daughter is now 12 and showing no signs of any problems due to the X-rays.

bishboschone · 14/08/2015 18:43

I don't what to scare you but as you have asked for advice . There are quite a few genetic conditions where development stops around 18 months and regresses or plateaus .. How is her overall development in general?

Original poster

saraha321 · 14/08/2015 19:40

Thanks for the advice everyone. GoodtoBetter thanks for your message, we haven't ruled out irritable hip but i'm not convinced. Findtheoldme that's good to know the x rays haven't caused any issues. We are happy for her to have them, it was the hospital that put a stop to it but going to try and push for an MRI and/or ultra sound.
Thanks bishboschone, what kind of genetic conditions? Her overall development seems fine, she's on target. She's very independent and tries to dress herself, feed herself, clip herself into her pushchair etc. She was playing well and quite dexterous. She is not saying any words yet but babbles quite happily.

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Fugghetaboutit · 14/08/2015 19:51

Gosh, this sounds so worrying. I have no experience but hope you get to the bottom of it soon

GoodtoBetter · 14/08/2015 21:25

No, and I'm not saying it is irritable hip, just that it not being painful to move the hip or manipulate it doesn't necessarily rule out irritable hip.
In fact both my children had it, DS at about 3 and a half and DD at about 16 months and neither of them minded the doctor manipulating the hip, but it was very definitely that.

bishboschone · 15/08/2015 13:40

There are quite a few but for example retts syndrome ... Children can be 'normal' until up to around 18 months and then regress .. I'm sure it isn't something as serious as this but please get her checked .

Original poster

saraha321 · 15/08/2015 18:32

Thanks for your responses. GoodtoBetter thanks for the advice, I assumed an irritable hip would hurt. Can't believe both your children had it, bless them. Bishboschone, thanks for replying again. I've looked up retts syndrome and she does have some of the symptoms but her hands are quite good, but we will keep observing her and speak to doc about it on Monday. Better safe than sorry. No improvement today and she definitely seems in pain especially when we get her up from her nap, she pushes our hands away when we go to pick her up then cries constantly for the next 30 mins or so. Bless her. Can't wait for Monday to arrive

OP posts:

bishboschone · 17/08/2015 08:09

I'm sure she will be fine but I think most people are unaware of some of these awful conditions . My son had a genetic condition so they are on my radar .. 'Luckily' for us my son was delayed from birth and is progressing forwards .. I have a friend with a daughter who has retts .. It's cruel indeed ! ..please let us know how she is doing and don't get fobbed off .. I knew something was a miss with my son but was told I was neurotic many times before they accepted I was actually quite sane and just a worried mum . ( quite justifiably ) .

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