My Son is 8 months he has a develop. delay. His arms stay stiff but is very happy baby. i think has cp. Help?
His skull was fractured by vacuum extactor at birth he had a cephlyahematoma the doctors will not give me diagnasis. i just want to know if has cp
1.
Jesus Christ- get a second or third opinion as soon as possible. I'm sorry this is happening to you, but defiantely don't let up until you have answers.
2.
I think the only people who can tell you if the baby has Cerebral Palsy for sure is your doctor, contact them to get your little one referred for assessment, hope everything is ok
Just realised you said they wont diagnose him, perhaps they want to see him for a bit longer before diagnosing, but he should be monitored if you are worried or maybe get a second opinion
3.
The best thing you can do for your son is focusing on getting him what he needs to develop. Call the local agency for the state you live in for zero to 3 screening. In Illinois it is Early Intervention. They will send someone out to screen your child for developmental delays and suggest the appropriate resources that will be available to you to help your son continue to develop and maximize his potential. It could be CP depending on whether or not there was a hypoxic (oxygen depriving) event before, during, or following childbirth. It sounds like there were several opportunties for a hypoxic event to occur, but there also could be other reasons for the delay. Some babies just develop slower. The doctor could order a head ultrasound and would be able to tell you if there was any brain damage noted. I encourage you to keep at the doctor and find the reason for the delay. You are the only person who is truly looking out for what is best for your son (and his daddy?); doctors have several patients and try to do what's best, but it's not affecting them as intimately as it is you. Be persistent, even a pain in the a**. No one else will do it; YOU have to. Get him screened and stay on that doc!!
Good luck!!
4.
If your son had a cephalohematoma - that does not mean he had a fracture. The cephalohematoma just means he had a bruise under his scalp (like a bruise anywhere else) - they can be very dramatic. This does not affect development.
The bigger question is why was the vacuum used. Sometimes the vacuum is used because a baby needs to come out now - b/c of their heartrate being very low. If this happened (which would have been very noticeable to you in the delivery room usually) that can mean that there may have been decreased blood flow to him - which can cause CP.
Most often when babies have developmental delay and even increased tone (stiffness) there is no cause ever found and most of these babies go on to be just fine. A diagnosis of CP or anything else more long term - takes time - no matter who the doctor is. Part of this waiting time should involve therapy though - with careful followup of his progress.