Weakness on right side?

littlekitten8 · Dec 19th, 2009, 10:11 AM

James had a pretty rough start, had the cord wrapped round his neck, lots of decellerations, and was slightly starved of oxygen. He seemed fine at birth and has always had pretty good head control. I did notice from the start that he wasn't moving his right side as much as the left but just thought it was cos he was going to be a lefty like his daddy. Anyway now that he is moving alot more and reaching out for things its becoming very obvious that he isn't moving his right side much at all. He holds his right arm either bent at the elbow with his hand near his face in a fist, or straight down again with his hand in a fist. He does move it a little bit but not any where near as much as his left. And same with his right leg, he moves it about but not as much as his left.

Has anyone else got any experience of this? What did it turn out to be? Have included some pics of how he has his arm the vast majority of the time. Thanks.

nkbapbt · Dec 19th, 2009, 14:36 PM

Have you taken him to get checked out? I would if you haven't. Sadly I must say that lack of oxygen at birth can result in many things, but the most common thing would be cerebral palsy. I am not saying this is what he has, but it is something that can happen. Only a doctor can make that call.

Do the muscles on that side seem weak or tight? The way he holds his arm it looks like they would be tight (just because he has a fist in both pics).

There are therapies that could help him over come this, so I would get him checked ASAP. And don't take no or he is ok as an answer...if you feel there is something wrong, then get answers even if you need a third or fourth opinion!

Good luck!

littlekitten8 · Dec 19th, 2009, 14:43 PM

Thanks hun. He can put his arm right down but he still tends to have a fist. If he gets really excited he can move it around a bit but generally he doesn't. If he is asleep he has both arms above his head and they look pretty relaxed. He has already been referred to the paediatrician because he has alot of twitchy episodes when he is asleep and because of a strong family history of epilepsy they want to check him out. He was referred at his 6 week check though and I have heard nothing. Taking him to the GP on Tuesday anyway to get his lactose free milk prescribed so will mention it to her then and see if she can speed up the appointment. I thought Cerebral Palsy too but he has very good head control so that made me wonder if it could be that cos all the kids I've looked after with CP (I'm a paediatric nurse who now works in NICU) all had poor head control as a baby.

stephwiggy · Dec 19th, 2009, 14:48 PM

The one thing i would add is to look at the size of the arm and or legs ie do they differ and by that mean does one look slimmer ...

littlekitten8 · Dec 19th, 2009, 14:57 PM

Ummm.....not obviously. Bit hard to tell though cos hes got skinny little arms lol.

stephwiggy · Dec 19th, 2009, 15:02 PM

I would hope at this stage / age it may be a habbit and nothing worse but i would suggest if he allows baby massage to try and unfold his fist perhaps opening his hand and massaging.

I have muscle weakness - one sided not due to CP but a spinal cord issue.

I would try not to worry tooo much at this stage.

Oh and by the way he is a total cutie xxxx

littlekitten8 · Dec 19th, 2009, 15:13 PM

Thanks steph. I am also hoping thats what it is. If he is in the bath I encourage him to open his hand and relax his arm. He seems to be happier to do it in the bath.

stephwiggy · Dec 19th, 2009, 15:15 PM

so hope all is well sweety - perhaps if you dont mind you could keep us updated ?

littlekitten8 · Dec 19th, 2009, 15:15 PM

Here is a video of James playing in his chair so you can see better.

stephwiggy · Dec 19th, 2009, 15:20 PM

he does seem to hold it close tbh - but as i say it mat be a habit - i would encourage him in the bath and with massages even toys once he is able to grab etc ..

Dec 19th, 2009, 14:36 PM	#2
nkbapbt Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 3,771	Have you taken him to get checked out? I would if you haven't. Sadly I must say that lack of oxygen at birth can result in many things, but the most common thing would be cerebral palsy. I am not saying this is what he has, but it is something that can happen. Only a doctor can make that call. Do the muscles on that side seem weak or tight? The way he holds his arm it looks like they would be tight (just because he has a fist in both pics). There are therapies that could help him over come this, so I would get him checked ASAP. And don't take no or he is ok as an answer...if you feel there is something wrong, then get answers even if you need a third or fourth opinion! Good luck!

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 14:43 PM	#3
littlekitten8 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bristol Posts: 2,298	Thanks hun. He can put his arm right down but he still tends to have a fist. If he gets really excited he can move it around a bit but generally he doesn't. If he is asleep he has both arms above his head and they look pretty relaxed. He has already been referred to the paediatrician because he has alot of twitchy episodes when he is asleep and because of a strong family history of epilepsy they want to check him out. He was referred at his 6 week check though and I have heard nothing. Taking him to the GP on Tuesday anyway to get his lactose free milk prescribed so will mention it to her then and see if she can speed up the appointment. I thought Cerebral Palsy too but he has very good head control so that made me wonder if it could be that cos all the kids I've looked after with CP (I'm a paediatric nurse who now works in NICU) all had poor head control as a baby.

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 14:48 PM	#4
stephwiggy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: peterborough ish. Posts: 4,658	The one thing i would add is to look at the size of the arm and or legs ie do they differ and by that mean does one look slimmer ...

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 14:57 PM	#5
littlekitten8 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bristol Posts: 2,298	Ummm.....not obviously. Bit hard to tell though cos hes got skinny little arms lol.

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 15:02 PM	#6
stephwiggy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: peterborough ish. Posts: 4,658	I would hope at this stage / age it may be a habbit and nothing worse but i would suggest if he allows baby massage to try and unfold his fist perhaps opening his hand and massaging. I have muscle weakness - one sided not due to CP but a spinal cord issue. I would try not to worry tooo much at this stage. Oh and by the way he is a total cutie xxxx

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 15:13 PM	#7
littlekitten8 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bristol Posts: 2,298	Thanks steph. I am also hoping thats what it is. If he is in the bath I encourage him to open his hand and relax his arm. He seems to be happier to do it in the bath.

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 15:15 PM	#8
stephwiggy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: peterborough ish. Posts: 4,658	so hope all is well sweety - perhaps if you dont mind you could keep us updated ?

Status: Offline

Dec 19th, 2009, 15:20 PM	#10
stephwiggy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: peterborough ish. Posts: 4,658	he does seem to hold it close tbh - but as i say it mat be a habit - i would encourage him in the bath and with massages even toys once he is able to grab etc ..

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
Pain on right side	Pregnancy - Second Trimester
Pulsing on right side?	Pregnancy - First Trimester
Bad cramps on right side	Trying To Conceive
"pinching" feeling on right side?	Pregnancy - First Trimester
Baby always on right side	Pregnancy - Second Trimester

User Name		Remember Me?
Password