"Something" is wrong with my son

[Japher]

Jace turns 8 months this month. He went in for an MRI on Saturday because he was born premature-ish (they called it pre-term) and they suspected that he may have had some development issues concerning his back. The doctor came back today and told us that his spinal cord ends too low compared to his spine (below L2). There is also a limpoma at the base of his spine (not suspected to be cancerous) and some strange blood vessel that was of concern.

They've told us to exercise his legs and monitor his bowel movements. I really don't know if I can exercise his legs any more than he already does, they never stop moving. And he's been pretty regular, unlike his sister who was known to go almost 2 weeks without pooping. He does play with his toes a lot, I wonder if this is him stretching; indicating his back hurts.

Anyway, thought I'd share. Wifey isn't taking this well, and probably won't until we see the neurosurgeon. In my ignorance I'll just view this as a sign that he's developing super powers.

[Dinner]

I understand 90% of these childhood things go away with time. Best wishes though.

[pchang]

Check out the strength he has in his legs. How close is he to walking? If his leg strength is good, I would not worry about it.

[Japher]

"strange blood vessel that was of concern"

this worries me more. His legs movement seems fine, though he has a tendency to turn his feet in. Which we think is funny because he can clap them like a seal.

[snoopy369]

Playing with toes is entirely normal, every kid does that to varying degrees.

In any event, hope everything turns out for the best, Japher! I certainly don't know what I'd do if my future son/daughter (not on the way, just eventually) were to be in a similar situation... you seem to be taking it fairly well in the scheme of things

[Japher]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tethered_spinal_cord_syndrome

Here's what I think it is from what they are telling me. The not knowing is worse, since our doctor won't make a diagnosis, and wants to see what a neurosurgeon says. That, however, can take weeks. Still, since I feel I could have gotten a MD I am sure I am qualified to make this diagnosis (I'm hoping for Guynmer's input, he's the pediatrician right?)... and, it looks like there isn't an urgency to solve the problem, just do so before there is any irreversible damage.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Best of luck though.

[Kidlicious]

Damn. Hang in there. I'll be thinking about you.

[Arrian]

Damn, man. Best of luck with this. If that is what's wrong, it sounds like he will need surgery.

-Arrian

[Elok]

Oog, I'm sorry to hear that. Don't do the diagnosis yourself though; it won't count for much and it'll make you worry more.

[Grandpa Troll]

Please keep us posted, as we will certainly lift you and your family, medical staff and others unnamed in prayerful supplication!

God Bless

Brother Bruce

[DinoDoc]

Here's what I think it is from what they are telling me.

Stick with the superpower diagnosis. It's as likely to be correct as an internet search on wikipedia or a doctor pulling one from his arse on the internet wothout benefit of an exam and you'll worry less. Here's hoping it turns out alright though.

[Sirotnikov]

hey man

When my older brother was born, doctors told my mom he has a freakishly large head, and he would be severely unhealthy and a degenerate. He's a very healthy successful 37 y/o with 2 children.

i was born prematurely and doctors told my mother i would probably die or live on to be incredibly weak and have cognital issues. nothing of this sort occured. I'm skinny, but have no major health problems.



The point is - diagnoses are often blown out of proportion, and in any case, toddlers are incredibly agile and strong, and their body adapts and builds itself incredibly well. Tell your wife it'll be ok.

[Guynemer]

DinoDoc is absolutely right. No point in trying to diagnosis him yourself, nor for me to do so just based on your description. However, I will note a few things:

As noted above, it is very, very normal for kids that age to play with their feet nonstop; many will succeed in actually getting their feet into their mouths.

It is also normal for kids feet to turn in; as their legs grow, the tibia not only lengthens but twists, rotating the feet out and in and hither and yon. Again, with the giant caveat of this just being based on your description, I wouldn't be concerned with that either.

Lipomas, also, are typically nothing to worry about, as you undoubtedly know.


The "abnormal blood vessel" could be anything--a normal variant, a "hemangioma" (sort on an internal birth mark), anything at all. Same with the cord; tethered cord is certainly possible, but I can't make that call; it's also possible that, too, is a normal variant.

Ultimately, I would recommend talking about these concerns with your doctor, but not treating your son any differently than you already are. He's eight months old, all he wants to do is eat, sleep, and play, and that's all you should do, whether or not anything is wrong, or if it is anything serious.

[Berzerker]

he should grow into the spine, right? Maybe God made him to play basketball and he'll need that extra spine