I think my baby has cerebal palsy?

Question

my daughter is almost six months old she still cannot hold her head up and she has poor posture she is not even able to sit up with help i know those are signs of cp but the doctors are ignoring me telling me she is just lazy what should i do?

Answer 1

First of all, you need to ignore that idiot saying you screwed a child's life up. As a mother of 3; 2 with medical conditions (one possible CP and one deceased) I can tell you - you can do everything you can but sometimes things are in God's hands. Secondly, don't label your baby just yet. CP isn't diagnosed until a child is 1-2 years old, because so many changes can occur during the early stages of life. A baby's brain is very resilient - but also very much a mystery to neurologists, I've learned. However, you are the child's mother - if your intuition tells you something isn't right, you should listen. I've also learned that doctors are not always right. You need to go to a pediatrician that will listen to your concerns, and especially one that will do something about them. You may need to be referred to a neurologist for tests, such as MRI or CT brain. Or a developmental pediatrician for evaluation - is it slowness in meeting milestones or a medical condition is the question. CP is most often damage during delivery. Did you have a difficult or problematic labor or delivery? Has your child had any other problems, such as seizures? Or has your child had a head injury or other accident? I would definitely get to someone who can thouroughly evaluate your baby and past medical history.

Answer 2

As several other answerers have noted, all babies are different, and will reach developmental milestones at different ages (I actually learned to walk before I could sit on my own). However, I think you're right to be concerned that she's not holding her head up let. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers it a warning sign if a child cannot support her head well by three months, let along close to six. Not being about to sit with help by five months is also a warning sign, although that's at least still closer than the three-month ones.

She may be fine, but I think that failing to reach three-month developmental milestones by six months shouldn't simply be written off as "laziness." I recommend that you take her to another doctor, preferably one with particular knowledge of child development, and discuss your concerns. It may turn out not to be anything serious, but I sincerely doubt that could be determined without a throughout examination of reflexes, motor skills, and neurological development. When you take her to the doctor, watch him examine her, and ask what he's doing. If he doesn't check lots of reflexes and motor skills, you should try another doctor until you find one that does.

There are lots of things besides cerebral palsy that could cause the behaviors you described, and doctors don't respond well to patients who think they already have the answer, so don't go to a doctor looking for a particular diagnosis. I'd suggest you avoid mentioning CP at all if you can, and if you do mention it, be sure it's only in the context of "this is where I'd read about this being cause for concern" rather than "this is what I think she has." If they think you think she has CP they're a lot less likely to take your concerns seriously. They're a lot more likely to listen to you if you say here's what she's not doing yet, and I've read that these are warning signs that should be discussed with her doctor.

Answer 3

get a second opinion and ask the doc about Autism, these two conditions are very similiar and kinda work together, i've babysat an autistic child since he was 2 and first diagnosed w/ Autisim, he has to go the a CP center once a week and do therapy , definitely find a good doctor and ask about both of these. is she focusing on one thing for a long period of time, it's tuogh to sdee it at this young age youdon't really see it until they are at the age where they should be talking and walking. BUt if youcan find out now you'd be better off. Goodluck to you.. hope you find a doctor soon.

Answer 4

Get a second opinion from a neurologist. CP usually affects one side or the other all left side, or right. It can also be upper and lower involving the head and arms, or the trunk and legs. If she has CP it is usually do to trauma, most likely during birth. If your still unsure, get another opinion because CP is a condition where early physical therapy is vital to a good outcome later in life.

Answer 5

If you think your daughter has Cerebal Palsy you should go to a doctor specializing in CP. Not looking for help in this forum.

Answer 6

Babies with CP are often slow to reach developmental milestones, such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk. They may also have certain reflexes present that normally disappear in early infancy. The symptoms of CP may resemble other conditions. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.


IF YOUR PEDIATRICIAN WON'T LISTEN TO YOUR VALID CONCERNS AS A PARENT, U NEED TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PEDIATRICIAN.

Answer 7

The Shriner's organizations may be able to screen your baby. I know that they have a mission of helping children and provide services at low and no cost. You might consider calling them to see if this available in your area. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion - you are your child's advocate. Best wishes.

Answer 8

Definitely seek another opinion. I don't know much about CP but I've had 2 kids and know that babies are not inherently lazy when it comes to holding their head up.

Answer 9

Classifications of cerebral palsy include spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed. Spastic cerebral palsy includes about 50% of cases. Dyskinetic (athetoid) cerebral palsy affects about 20%. It involves development of abnormal movements (twisting, jerking, or other movements). Ataxic cerebral palsy involves tremors, unsteady gait, loss of coordination, and abnormal movements. It affects about 10%. The remaining 20% are classified as mixed, with any combination of the above symptoms.

Symptoms

seizures
muscle contractions
difficulty sucking or feeding
irregular breathing
delayed development of motor skills, such as reaching, sitting, rolling, crawling, walking, and so on
motormental retardation
mental retardation
speech abnormalities (dysarthria)
visual abnormalities
hearing abnormalities
spasticity
progressive joint contractures
limited range of motion
peg teeth
In many cases, a doctor's examination indicates delayed development of motor skills. Infantile reflexes (such as sucking and startle) may persist past the age where they usually disappear. Muscle tremor or spasticity may be evident, with a tendency of infants to tuck their arms in toward their sides, scissors movements of the legs, or other abnormal movements.

Various laboratory tests may be performed to eliminate nutritional or other causes of the symptoms.

Answer 10

Take her to another doctor for a second opinion. A specialist preferably on cerebral palsy.