We're back in the health clinic today regarding the motor delay, faltering growth, puffy feet and now iron deficiency anaemia.
B is 13 months now. He has been put on the waiting list for Physiotherapy. He's been taking prophylactic dose of Ironorm for the last week. And been switched to follow on milk instead of cow's milk. He is doing well and eating a normal diet. He's been more "lively" since the last visit. He is now sitting up mostly unaided and can save himself sideways but we're putting cushions behind him just in case he falls backwards. He will now weight bear through is feet if he is held standing. He can roll from front to back and vice versa and get round a whole room this way. He is pushing up onto forearms and kicking his legs. We're happy he has made some progress in the last two months. Caeliac screen result is outstanding
This time I remembered to bring in his sibling's red books. I wanted to prove that both older children dropped down the centiles and are proportionate height for their weight. We're talking about everyone's milestones. A was a bit late he crawled at 15 months and walked at 18 months. L was much quicker. She cruised at 10 months and was walking by her first birthday. We put this down to the fact she was a second child who needed to act fast to get away from her older brother! I reported that I was a bottom shuffler and walked before my second birthday. B's daddy couldn't remember when he walked. I told the registrar that I thought B being left on the floor to play with his siblings was making him lazy and impacting on his development.
tots100
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Monday, 6 April 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Letter from the health clinic
Just after B's first birthday I get a letter following up the appointment at the health clinic. They list the "problems" as concerns regarding motor delay, faltering growth and puffy feet.
The specialist registrar reports that B is hungry and ratty but settles after a breastfeed. He seemed active in the clinic but he's not that active at home. She says he appeared pale but his conjectiva were pink. He had a small anterior fontanelle but was well perfused centrally. She noted B had purple swollen feet that were cold to touch. I told her they are always like this and it doesn't matter how many pairs of socks that you put on him, he continues to have cold puffy feet. He has some excema on his feet and I told her that he has previously been treated for a fungal infection of his feet. His peripheral pulses were normal and his femorals were of good character and volume.
His heart sounds were normal and chest was clear. His abdomen was soft and non tender with no organomegly. His neurological system as grossly intact with normal power tone and reflexes. There is no evidence of wasting. His buttock muscles looked normal and there seem to be normal hip creases. Still pointing out his weight growth and without having anything to compare it too (I didn't have him weighed at all since birth) she can't assess whether or not this is genetically where he is meant to be. She has no explanation for his cold purple puffy feet at present.
She mentions again that she is confused regarding his cold puffy feet and has included autoimmune profile in the blood works. She is referring B to the Physiotherapists so they can see him regarding his gross motor delay. I don't want to see a dietician and she agrees that this is acceptable given his dietary history appears appropriate for his age. I promise to use follow on milk instead of cow's milk from now on at home.
The specialist registrar reports that B is hungry and ratty but settles after a breastfeed. He seemed active in the clinic but he's not that active at home. She says he appeared pale but his conjectiva were pink. He had a small anterior fontanelle but was well perfused centrally. She noted B had purple swollen feet that were cold to touch. I told her they are always like this and it doesn't matter how many pairs of socks that you put on him, he continues to have cold puffy feet. He has some excema on his feet and I told her that he has previously been treated for a fungal infection of his feet. His peripheral pulses were normal and his femorals were of good character and volume.
His heart sounds were normal and chest was clear. His abdomen was soft and non tender with no organomegly. His neurological system as grossly intact with normal power tone and reflexes. There is no evidence of wasting. His buttock muscles looked normal and there seem to be normal hip creases. Still pointing out his weight growth and without having anything to compare it too (I didn't have him weighed at all since birth) she can't assess whether or not this is genetically where he is meant to be. She has no explanation for his cold purple puffy feet at present.
She mentions again that she is confused regarding his cold puffy feet and has included autoimmune profile in the blood works. She is referring B to the Physiotherapists so they can see him regarding his gross motor delay. I don't want to see a dietician and she agrees that this is acceptable given his dietary history appears appropriate for his age. I promise to use follow on milk instead of cow's milk from now on at home.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Blood test results
This week I get some results from B's blood tests. They show low haematocrit and Serum Ferritin. He is prescribed an iron supplement.
And Cystic Fibroses is not confirmed. Immunological results are still outstanding. I'm relieved it's not CF. Still living without a diagnosis but in this case the news is good.
Monday, 23 February 2009
Physiotherapy
B has been referred for physiotherapy assessment and they want to see him for his first appointment. Current waiting time for a physiotherapy assessment is 4-16 weeks.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Health Clinic
Today B had an appointment at the health clinic. I had to beg for to see a health visitor because our borough do not offer as many after birth appointments any more. This is a second level referral assessment. I wanted help because B is 10 months old and not yet sitting. But the health visitor gets a bee in her bonnet that B is underweight and refers him for 'faltering growth'. He has dropped down the percentiles but he was a big baby when he was born so there was no way he was going to keep growing at that rate. I'm not concerned about his weight and it frustrates me that they are trying to blame his weight bearing and sitting difficulties on his weight. B is still breastfeeding and eating 3 normal meals a day. He has a good appetite and we can't possibly feed him any more than he has already. They pick up that I've fed him cow's milk before 12 months but there is no evidence of malabsorption stools and normal bowel habits. And no history of vomiting but he does occasionally regurgitate food. I'm pressing home the point that his older siblings were born large babies and then drop down the centiles. This is normal for my babies. I'm saying I'm not overly concerned about his development as he is slightly slower because he is the youngest of three children.
B can't sit without support. He has a straight back but would not sit unsupported in the clinic. He is reluctant to weight bare but will do it if you persevere long enough. When placed on his front he lifts his arms legs and head off the ground but look stranded there making no attempt to crawl or go on his hands and knees. He just looks helpless and beached. He does roll over though onto his back.
He can pick up stuff with is little pincer grasp and finger feeds. Passing objects between his hands and putting his hands in his mouth. B is babbling and we don't have any concerns over his hearing. He is very sociable and happy. He plays with his siblings and has good social interaction.
Due to his faltering growth and gross motor delay she wants to see B again in 8 weeks and do some blood tests. He is going to be tested for celiac and genetic testing for cystic fibrosis. I understand why they want to do this and agree to it.
B can't sit without support. He has a straight back but would not sit unsupported in the clinic. He is reluctant to weight bare but will do it if you persevere long enough. When placed on his front he lifts his arms legs and head off the ground but look stranded there making no attempt to crawl or go on his hands and knees. He just looks helpless and beached. He does roll over though onto his back.
He can pick up stuff with is little pincer grasp and finger feeds. Passing objects between his hands and putting his hands in his mouth. B is babbling and we don't have any concerns over his hearing. He is very sociable and happy. He plays with his siblings and has good social interaction.
Due to his faltering growth and gross motor delay she wants to see B again in 8 weeks and do some blood tests. He is going to be tested for celiac and genetic testing for cystic fibrosis. I understand why they want to do this and agree to it.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Newborn hearing screening
I got a letter today from the hospital reminding me that I have refused the newborn hearing screening. I explained to them I did not feel it was necessary to take my newborn son into a hospital when he had had a lovely homebirth and we were resting at home. I understand that babies can be born with hearing loss and I'm aware of the risk factors but I'm confident that if I had any concerns about B's hearing that I would contact the clinic straight away. I'm going to continue to watch him as he grows and check for reactions he makes to sounds as he grows older and the sounds he makes as he grows older.
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