Muscle diseases in a newborn are serious; some cases are life-threatening. Several types of neuromuscular diseases and disorders exist. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the most common; it affects one in every 14,000 births, according to the FSH Society. Most of these conditions affect the peripheral nervous system; including the spinal cord and brain. A pediatric orthopaedic surgeon will discuss treatment and the best course of action regarding your newborn’s diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms
When a baby is born, one of her first evaluations involves an APGAR test that determines a variety of vital signs and responses. The APGAR is performed by a nurse or physician; it examines, skin color, heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes and breathing, explains MedlinePlus. If muscle tone is floppy or unresponsive, a baby receives a low score. If she does not respond to mild stimulation or reflexes, she will score low. Low scores are a determining factor as to the next step in the diagnosis process. Immediate signs that something may be wrong internally could be trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing or inadequate elimination of the kidneys and bowels. Other symptoms may include muscle weakness, limpness, decreased muscle tone and droopy eyelids.
Types
A neuromuscular disease is identified as an impairment of the peripheral or central nervous system, notes the Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. Common types include the muscular dystrophies, cerebral palsy and various congenital syndromes. Congenital muscular dystrophy is brought on at birth and occurs when there is a genetic mutation affecting the proteins essential for all muscle movement, including the eyes and brain. Stiffness, respiratory insufficiency, eye problems and seizures are often present at birth. Cerebral palsy is caused from problems or complications at birth. Signs include spastic movement of major muscle groups, mental retardation and impaired senses. A congenital muscle disease in newborns is congenital myasthenic syndrome. CMS covers a large band of other congenital disorders that impair nerve and muscle cells in the newborn.
Prognosis
Prognosis for a muscle disease in a newborn weighs on several factors, including the type of disease, the severity of the disease and how she will respond to treatment. Kidshealth.org explains that, in many cases of muscular dystrophy, the disease progresses over time and causes partial to total paralysis. While your newborn may need specialized physical therapy throughout his life, eventually his respiratory system could be affected; this may require constant medical care and breathing assistance.
Solution
Treating your newborn’s specific disorder may involve several methods. Surgery to release tight or twisted muscles and speech therapy can help some babies cope with their disability, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. With cerebral palsy, muscle damage varies depending on the severity of the disorder; some cases may be mild, requiring minimal assistance with walking and daily function. Many cases of severe muscle disease may lead to profound lifelong disability. In some cases, there is no cure, and palliative care is instituted for prolonged comfort.
References
- MedlinePlus: APGAR
- Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian: Muscular Dystrophies
- Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian: Cerebral Palsy
- KidsHealth.org: What is Muscular Dystrophy?
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Cerebral Palsy Information Page
- FSH Society: Facts and Statistics about FSHD
