Early Signs of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

There are many signs and symptoms of a motor delay. Some motor delays are caused by genetic diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy. Others are caused by less serious conditions and may resolve on their own. This wide range of possible causes can oftentimes make diagnosis a challenge, but it makes proper evaluation of your child’s symptoms even more important.

The examples of parent descriptions for each symptom listed below come from an interview project of the Neuromuscular Disorder Task Force, funded by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In 2010, they interviewed over one thousand parents of children, 6 months to 9 years, with muscle disorders. For more on how these concerns were later identified as a neuromuscular disorder, see: http://www.childmuscleweakness.org/index.php/by-parent-report/34 

Poor Head Control

"She can't hold up her head"

"He has poor head control"

"His head flops down"

Normal Development:

Cause for concern: 

Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone)

"He is floppy" or "He has no/low muscle tone"

"She is lazy"

"She feels like a rag doll"

Normal Development: Pending

Cause for Concern: 

Limited Movement

"She doesn't squirm"

"He is not moving much" (especially arm and leg movement)

"She stays however I lay her down"

Normal Development:

Tremors

"His hands shake"

"His tongue trembles" 

"She has tremors"

Cause for concern:

Regression

"He is not able to do things anymore"

"She seems to be losing her abilities"

Note: statements to doctors about regression came almost exclusively from parents of children with SMA. If you notice that your child is regressing, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Intuition

"Something just isn’t quite right"

If you feel like something is not quite right with your child’s developmental progress, do not wait to voice your concerns. As noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the overwhelming majority of parental concerns are correct and accurate.

Progression in Motor Skills

"She's not where she should be"

Normal Development:

Rise from Floor

"He's climbing up his body"

"He rises from the floor using a specific pattern"

Cause for concern: 

Stairs

"He’s slow up the stairs"

"He cannot alternate feet"

Standing

"She won’t bear weight on her legs"

"Her legs give out"

Normal Development:

Walking

"She’s not walking yet at all"

"She has an awkward or 'funny' walk"

"He always walks on his toes"

Normal Development:

Cause for concern:

Walk, run & gait 

Weakness

"His legs are weak"

"She can’t reach out with her arms"

"She's weak all over"

Normal Development:

Make an Appointment 

If you suspect your child has a motor delay, bring this to the attention of your pediatrician at your next well child visit. If your next well child visit is several weeks off, contact the office to see if you can schedule an earlier appointment.

Red Flags

If your child has suddenly developed any of the following signs, please contact your physician immediately:

• Regression: Lost the ability to do things he/she was previously able to do 
• Rarely moves arms and legs; seems stiff 
• Seems excessively loose in the limbs, or floppy 
• Lower jaw trembles constantly, even when not crying or excited

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