Cerebral Palsy?

[rangermom]

A friend of mine watched my kids this past week and the other day when I picked them up she made an observation about my 2.5 year old DS. She thought that he might have cerebral palsy since he toe walks on one foot and walks regular on the other. She said she had a friend whose 2 year old child walked the same way and was diagnosed with CP. The diagnosis was initiated based on the way he walked. There was no other indication that the child had it except that. DS does toe walk with one foot and wobbles a lot. He is extremely small for his age (lower 10% in height and weight). He has been seen by dieticians and nutritionists and they said he is healthy just small. He did not start walking until 1.5 years old.

When he was born he had pnuemonia and got a pnuemothorax (sp?) and he had persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN). All of this caused him to been in the NICU for nine days. He has passed all the major side effects of PPHN. He has great hearing, his lungs seen to have healed well, but he does have a functional heart murmer.

My question is to those whose know about CP, is it possible that DS could have it based on the way he walks? Wouldn't our peditrician caught it by now?

 

[pugdog]

most pediatrician's don't really understand what they are looking for that's why. Sometimes it's the specialists that see it.

It certainly sounds like he might have CP. CP is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain either before ,during or after birth. With his history it could have happened after birth.I would go see a specialist at your local children's hospital to find out for sure.

 

[rangermom]

What type of specialist should he see? I have an appointment with the cardiologist this next Monday. Should I mention it him, or just contact my pedi directly.

This is a little overwelming, since they have never mentioned that CP could be a possiblility. But after doing some research it seems that there is a possible connection to CP and PPHN. And there is definately a connection to CP and newborn being on a ventilator.

TIA

 

[LauraVV]

Hi,

I doubt that it'd be likely that a CP diagnosis would be made before your child's age. My daughter was diagnosed at age five. The late walking and the traumatic issues near birth would likely increase the risk for CP.

My daughter looks like any other kiddo. I think when we hear CP we think that kids are severely impacted. Some kids just toe walk. My daughter does get pain in her legs. She uses DAFOs at night to stretch the legs.

I'd take your child to a physiatrist. This is a rehab doctor. They specialize in diagnosis and treatment. I LOVE ours. Our pedi at the time said that a large CP clinic wouldn't see our daughter because he CP is so mild but our physiatrist is wonderful and she has a big clinic. We travel about 3 hours to see her because we love her so much and we have no local pediatric physiatrists.

 

[lunapnp]

I would first talk to your pediatrician. You may need a referral to go see a specialist. (Sorry...I am a medical person...so I think about insurance requirements, too!) I would suggest a physiatrist (as previously mentioned), maybe a developmental pediatrician, or if neither of those are available, a good pediatric neurologist would be sufficient. Age really has nothing to do with diagnosing CP. Children can be diagnosed with CP well before the age your child is now. Most articles you read about CP says that the earlier age that CP is diagnosed, *usually* the more severe the CP. My DD was diagnosed with CP at about 15 months old...so yes they can be diagnosed well before the age of your son! One thing to remember is that the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is really an "umbrella" diagnosis. The diagnosis is used when basically there is a disorder in movement and/or posture due to an injury to the brain. Just because he toe walks does not mean he has CP...even if someone else's child toe walked and now has the label of CP. There is an extreme variation in the effects of CP from one child to the next. Some have such mild CP that you would not know it unless the parent told you (a child may only have problems with fine motors skills...such as writing, etc.). However, the other end of the spectrum is the individual with severe CP who is wheelchair bound, unable to speak, and may have a host of other conditions associated with CP. I wouldn't just look at his walking but look at his other developmental milestones as well. Has he met those on time or close to the normal time? Is he developing appropriately?? (And try not to compare him to your other children! Easier said than done...I know!) But look at him in "general"...is he developing appropriately in "general?" I have rambled with all of that to say this...don't get hung up on the label of "cerebral palsy" that was given to him from a (hopefully) well-meaning individual. Seek advice from medical professionals before labeling your son with something that might not even come to be! Like I said...it is just a label! But sometimes (here comes my medical side again!) we need those labels for our children to get services they need (like physical therapy, etc.). My one other point I want to stress is this...if you are concerned, seek a professional opinion...NOW!! The sooner you start intervention (if it is needed), the better for your son. Best of luck! Feel free to PM if you have any questions! I've been on this journey with my daughter for 12 years! I have a lot of "been there, done that" stories!