CP concerns?

Hi everyone. I just wanted to ask for opinions as I suspect my 8month old girl has CP. I hope it’s okay to list out her symptoms/factors and see if I’m on the right track before I raise my concern with a healthcare professional. She was born at 34 weeks in a set of multiples. Needed resus. Her siblings are thriving and hitting milestones and she just isn’t. She can’t roll. Has poor head control. Floppy. Cannot weight bear on legs Can’t sit. Cannot grip/hold things for longer than a few seconds. Always has both hands up in swaddle position, with one hand in or over her mouth. Doesn’t react to people talking to her most of the time. I would love to know experienced mums advice on this, and whether or not I’m jumping to conclusions with thinking CP. Thank you for taking the time to read :)

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Based on the list you’ve written I would speak with a healthcare professional and ask for an MRI and/or genetics testing as some of these could very well be signs of CP. the earlier the diagnosis the better in terms of effective therapies x

Agree with Loren - genetic testing and an MRI is what you'd need to get a diagnosis. My daughter has CP and wasn't diagnosed until she was around 1 year corrected after being born at 29 weeks - but we "knew" before then. She was under physiotherapy way before her diagnosis and she was actually meeting her gross motor goals such as rolling and crawling just a bit late. She didn't walk until 2ish with walking aids - but at 5 she's now running and dancing just wears AFOs.

@Loren thank you for the reply! Would I first speak to my health visitor or go straight to GP? X

@Harriet thank you for replying! Did you have to go private for physio before a diagnosis? Also did you go to GP initially? Really don’t know where to start with any of this x

No it was all through the NHS, she was under a consultant because she was so prem and they saw her probably every 3 months or so. The NHS physio didn't actually do anything for ages it was mainly observing her! See if there are any conductive education places near you - we've got a local charity who gave her weekly sessions from before she was even diagnosed. I'd start with your GP and push for genetic testing and help x

I'd say absolutely follow your gut, I know 8 months is still little but it does sound like she needs extra support and the earlier the better. Don't take no for an answer, sometimes you have to be the one with the loudest voice to get taken seriously X

CP is such a blanket term. There’s so many different kinds. However I will say I think you’re right to be concerned about something. I would absolutely see a neurologist ASAP. My son saw his PCP, a neurologist and finally a physical medicine doctor who made his diagnosis.

We first started going to a private physiotherapist because of our concerns and he wrote us a letter with his thoughts which we took to the GP who then referred us to a paediatrician. I honestly think without his letter the GP wouldn’t have taken us so seriously. It depends on who you see I suppose. The more ‘evidence’ you can get the better. If you need any help there’s some good groups on Facebook for parents of kids with CP

Definitely worth having an MRI, I thought my son has CP as my brother does and my little boy couldn't do anything by 9 months when I see the Gp regarding delays. It was discovered through MRI he has chiari 1 malformation (signs similar to CP so I also thought it was may be that). So it would be worth ruling out Cp but could also be a possibility it isnt and maybe something else

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