[Judilyn]

It's been awhile since I have visited Adoption Forums.

I have a new chapter starting in my life. we have taken into our home a young women (32) and her son. I met her through our chruch. Her husband was just sent to prison for 6 years and she found her self and her infant homeless. (I know, I'm a softey). BUt we sure enjoy htem. She is a great mom and we love having a baby in the house again. I kind of feel like a gramma!

Her son, was born very premature, weighed only 2 pounds. He is now 4 months old and seems to be developing normally. He is rolling already, holds his head steady, tracks moving objects, etc.
But he is so rigid! I've never seen a baby hold his back so stiff, to the point where he arches. Also he still holds his hands in tight, tight fist like a newborn. Which is probably why he has not yet statred to bat at objects.

Is this rigedness normal for premies? I think I remember something from all my child development classes about being concerend when a babys back is so rigid.

Should we maybe take him to Easter Seals to be evaluated?
PLease advise if you can.

Thank you

[bumpkin]

It never hurts to have an evaluation.... I believe that rigidity is common in preemies... but you'll probably feel better have the evaluation anyone.

Good luck

Bumpkin

[MamaHolly]

It sounds like the little boy in hypertonic- his body is too stiff. It is common in preemies, as is hypotonia, but it is not normal. Does he have a good pediatrician? I would start with that and ask for a PT evaluation. If it goes uncorrected for too long it can have some lasting affects. Some of the docs in the NICU thought my daughter might have some hypertonia, but others have thought she was hypotonic. I met who had severe hypertonia, poor thing had to have surgery to loosen his jaw up.
Holly

[momtutu]

my son was born very early too. He had and still has abnormally high tone. This can be an early sign of CP. My son has been diagnosed with mild CP mostly affecting his right hand. He too rolled over and held up his head at a young age. I was told by my doctor that it was because of his high tone that he was able to do that. Now, as I said, his problem is mostly in one hand although his arms and legs look like he works out at only 16 months of age.
Lisa

[Hope4myson]

I don't know what state you are in but here any preemie automatically qualifies for the early intervention program. It is never too soon to get them evaluated and start therapy. My daughter was less than two pounds also. She was very delayed at first. At 18months she was still functioning at 9mo level. But with the early intervention she caught up to age level at two years old.