Worrisome

Keira finally went to her first checkup at the doctor this morning. She was in between insurance for a while so she is now 4 months old and just now going to the doctor for her shots. We were fortunate enough to get her in with the same pediatrician that I went to since I was a baby, Dr. Jones, who is absolutely awesome. She weighed in at 12 lbs. 9 oz. and is 2 feet tall. Well, 2 feet horizontal that is, because she can't stand. We have tried to get her to stand and she has got really bad noodle legs. She can't support her weight at all. My mom said that each of her 4 kids could stand by her age, so we were a little concerned. Our concern went from a little to a LOT after the doctor's appointment today. He noticed a dimple above her butt called a sacral dimple which is often a sign of a spinal nerve defect called a tethered spinal cord. One of the symptoms is leg weakness... GREAT.

Everything I read about it says that the earlier you detect the problem, the better, so I am glad that we discovered it early, but it seems like the only solution for it is surgical which I am NOT happy about. It is well understood that in the majority of children with tethered cords neurological function will deteriorate with growth and activity. So even if your child does not have any symptoms, surgery is often recommended to prevent future neurologic deterioration and complications. It is considered a low risk operation, with a good chance of success for their future development, but some cases are more difficult and may require more surgery as the child ages. The doctor wants her to have an MRI done to get a better idea of what the problem is and how severe it is, then we will have to discuss what to do about it.

Here is a link to some pretty good information about tethered spinal cords-

http://www.boston-neurosurg.org/publications/faq/tethered_cord_MP.shtml

I am SO WORRIED about my little girl and I want her to be able to walk! Please say a prayer for her and our family.