Worried about possible cerebral palsy in baby

[Chattycat78]

I have a 9 month old. He was 5 weeks prem and tiny when born (4 pound 2). Not a traumatic birth - planned section. He spent 2 weeks in scbu and then was sent home fine.

He's now 9 plus months- 8 plus months corrected, and he still can't sit up unaided. He can roll over but Doesn't appear to like doing it. He can sit if you support him in some way or put cushions round him, but can't otherwise. He cannot crawl either. He can hold his own weight in a jumparoo or if you hold him up, so doesn't appear to have weak muscles.

He makes noises, but not dada or other similar consonant sounds yet.

I assumed these delays were due to being prem but now I'm starting to worry that it's something else.

Should I be?

Ps he was also originally a twin- second baby lost at 12 weeks. I gather cerebral palsy is more common in this instance.

Help.

Hello. I have a ex-prem ds with cerebral palsy. It is ok, different but ok, and DS is quite severely affected (he is 7 and doesn't really walk). He is happy, bright, and mainstream school, but walking is just a bit too hard. He has done worse than anyone expected when he was little, and how he presented then, but again that is fine.

The first thing I would say is that 8 months corrected is not really late to sit. Also he was born later than most ex prem children who have cp. Typically the children with cp are born before 30 weeks, but of course I do understand why that doesn't matter if you have the 1 in a xxx chance child who is the 1.

Second how has he been with tummy time? Are his other muscle patterns normal, does he reach for things, kick, splash, does he use both sides equally. There are other muscle differences when they are little. Ds sat at 10 months, commando crawled at 11 months, crawled properly at 13 months, cruised at 22 months and walked at 6!

Third take him out of the jumperoo.... If he was premature it is really bad for him. I get that it might preserve you sanity, but physios hate them for all children especially premature children, and those with cp.... It really delays muscle development/strength.

The speech is also normal. Ds spoke at about 18-19 months, sentences at about 2 and a half, now I cannot shut him up.

How is he with food/feeding, did he feed ok as a baby? How has weaning been?

Also has he been ill at all, Rev? Bronchilitis? All those things add slight further delays, or can do.

However go to your gp, get some physio input. You should have it as an ex prem child anyway, and it cannot harm. In my area all scbu babies are followed up until they are 2, and if there is an issue then the more you do early the better. They will give you ideas. From memory at that age we did a lot of stretching and reaching, and repeat, reach for bubbles, rattles, bright balls etc. Also for babies they recommend massage and swimming if your child likes water.

As to whether you should worry, I could say don't but being honest it won't help having a stranger on the Internet saying don't worry. I will say trust your instinct, try to get the physio so you can feel like you are doing something, hope for the best, but be aware cp is in the main ok.

I wouldn't base this all on the sitting up. I know of at least 3 babies that can't do this at 8 months! The sounds too. Can he reach for things, kick etc?

OP sorry I know you posted a long time ago but I wondered if you have any update? I have some concerns about my 8 month old at the moment.

I've just come on her about something else but by 6 week prem twins were like this with motor skills. Very late to sit, walk, pull up etc and they were diagnosed with hypermobility which is more common in premies. They had physio between the ages of 18m-2 and although we are now having other issues with speech their motor skills are totally fine infact because they are bendy they are really, really good at gymnastics and dancing!

My son was diagnosed before he was a year old with CP-ten weeks premature and 3#-his was caused by a brain bleed due to oxygen deprivation. He ihad an illness and was hospitalized and a ICU nurse noticed he was “frog sitting” and said that wasn’t developmentally appropriate and we were referred to a Peds neurologist. Frankly the label made life easier as it got us services he needed. Don’t stop fighting for your babies. Trust your gut instinct.