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Baby - possible Cerebral Palsy?

5 replies

Foreverbaffled · 17/03/2021 08:50

I'm starting to become really concerned about my 17 week old baby son. He was born at 37 weeks after an easy pregnancy and uncomplicated labour. No issues at birth were noted and we were discharged the same day.

I noticed some sustained ankle clonus at 4 weeks which prompted a referral to
Paediatric neurology. She was reassured to see by that point the clonus had reduced massively but she did note some intermittent high tone in DS's legs when held in certain positions. For example if you hold him up under his arms his back arches a bit and his legs stiffen. After a short period of time he can sort of break through this posture and will start kicking his legs about. When he cries he goes very stiff and feels like he is pulling away from me. She has ordered an MRI which we're waiting on a date for.

As an aside my first DS was absolutely identical to this (although didn't have clonus) and he grew out of it at 6 months. My first DS was however much more advanced with his milestones but then again he was born at 42 weeks.

I've sadly become obsessed with my new babies development and I feel he is showing some real delays now. He doesn't bring his hands together when on his back (only when on bouncy chair etc), doesn't laugh and makes no attempt at rolling. I know these are all CP red flags.

More positively his head control is pretty good, can raise his head well when on his tummy and only has slight head lag. He smiles, coos and reaches/bats toys above him when on his back. He is a great feeder and very alert/engaged with the world.

I'm just so sad and confused about all this.

OP posts:
Foreverbaffled · 17/03/2021 08:53

Oh and he also definitely still has some of his primitive reflexes (Moro and fencing reflex) although these are lessening. I suspect the fencing reflex is preventing him bringing his hands together but I'm not sure.

OP posts:
paradyning · 17/03/2021 21:13

Have you spoken to your GP or HV? If you do don't let them minimise you're concerns. Hope your MR comes through quickly op.

Foreverbaffled · 17/03/2021 21:28

Thank you. We are still under neurology and we are starting physio soon. I'm not sure what they can offer given his muscle tone is normal the rest of the time but we shall see! The neuro did say there was every chance he may just grow out of it all so fingers crossed. It's just hard and I can feel my own mental health deteriorating.

OP posts:
paradyning · 31/03/2021 20:53

How are you doing OP?

Foreverbaffled · 01/04/2021 13:59

Thanks for checking in.

I'm okay! My DS has progressed a lot even in the last week. He's started bringing his hands together and in his mouth, is reaching and grasping and is rolling from back to tummy. His head lag has also gone.

He still stiffens his legs and brings them together when picked up but only momentarily before then kicking them upwards. The back arching has stopped.

I know that doesn't mean everything is okay but it's all progress in the right direction! Do you think that all sounds encouraging?

OP posts:
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