What is wrong with my son?

[RRCR08]

Hi,
I have a 20 month old son, who I have noticed in th elast 2 months has begun to hold his head slightly to one side, so slight that a stranger noticed it and none of his family. He can hold it straight and his head moves easily from one side to the other with no pain (that I can see). He also has recently begun to only use one side of his face, and once again, he can move both sides its just more often than not he will only smile with the right side of his face. Eyebrows both move, but he has just started when he cries one stays open more than the other.
Does anyone have any suggstions or have a child with similar symptoms??

[Marnica]

Has he had any vaccinations within the last 2 months? Any recent bad febrile illneses?

Could be nothing, but it also could be neurological symptoms.

[Llyra]

I think that if I had a child with those symptoms, I would be looking for a neurological evaluation as soon as possible.

FWIW, I had Bell's Palsy once, and only one side of my face worked properly. I didn't tilt my head, though. And the symptoms were consistent-- it's not like sometimes it happened and other times it didn't. When I smiled or frowned, only one side moved. Only one eyebrow moved. One of my eyes had to be taped shut, because I couldn't close it all the way, and it got very dry. It was treated with prednisone and cleared up within a few days, but it was really scary when it first appeared.

What you're describing sounds different, though. I think I would probably be worried, and would go looking right away for help.

[RRCR08]

No Febrile illnesses. Has had vaccinations at 18 months, but my partner and mum seem to think it was happening before that, and looking at some old pics, I do to now, so I've ruled out vacs as well.
Yeah I have looked up bells palsy and the symptoms didnt seem to fit. Going to a pead doc within the week, so guess we'll take it from there.
Hoping its not neurological, as my brother also seems to smile on the side.

[pianojazzgirl]

I think you're doing the right thing in getting him in to the ped, this doesn't sound like something to "wait and see" about.

Another thought - perhaps it would also be worth a visit to a chiropractor to see if there's something mechanical going on.

Keep us posted mama.

[RRCR08]

Thanks! Yep Chiropractor was my next stop...although I am thinking that it could be something along those lines!
Will keep you all posted

[tylerdylan]

My DS has a head tilt that we didn't notice for the longest time either. Looking back at pictures of him over the years it's been there since he was very young. DS has a brainstem tumour and we were told that was why he has it. His oncologists always assess his head tilt at his check ups. It's still there after the chemo is done and I guess will be here to stay just like the tumour. Definitely worth checking into for your DS. Hopefully it is nothing. Just wanted you to be aware of one possible explanation since our DS's tumour went undiagnosed for so long because no one took all his small symptoms and put them together. We were told he didn't have any of the right symptoms to indicate brain tumour when in fact he had many that were just being overlooked and explained away as nothing.
Good luck!

[sbgrace]

I'm glad you're seeing the pediatrician. With head tilt it could be something like torticollis (was it there very young possibly?) and I believe that can begin to affect the face if untreated. That PT would help. Eyes, brain, etc. are other possibilities. I'm glad you're getting it checked and hope you'll update!

[frolick16]

I took care of a little girl with increasing weakness on one side, the diagnoses was Myasthenia Gravis, this is an autoimmune disorder that is treated with immunoglobulins...hopefully everything is okay!

[RRCR08]

I am unsure if anyone out there is still reading this, but my son has had an mri scan and it has shown that yes he has a brain tumor.
It is very scary and a nerve racking time to wait and see if it is malignant or benign.
If anybody out there would like to keep my son Cooper in their prayers/thoughts etc, please do....we need all the prayers we can get.
He is just the happiest toddler and thinks that his time at the hosptial is one big holiday filled with toys and lots of yummy custards!! He had his biopsy on Friday and we should get the results in 2 days (Wednesday).
If anyone has some experiences, tylerdylan I would love to hear from you. How can your son still have some tumor left in his brain stem??
Please pray for my baby boy Cooper.

[Siennaflower]

Saying prayers for Cooper.

[Mom2M]

I'm so sorry. Prayers for Cooper.

[SpottedFoxx]

How scary! Prayers being said for your sweet boy.

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by RRCR08

I am unsure if anyone out there is still reading this, but my son has had an mri scan and it has shown that yes he has a brain tumor.
It is very scary and a nerve racking time to wait and see if it is malignant or benign.
If anybody out there would like to keep my son Cooper in their prayers/thoughts etc, please do....

I will certainly pray for Cooper and for you as well.

[mbravebird]

Oh, sweetheart -- sending prayers.

[tylerdylan]

Originally Posted by RRCR08

If anyone has some experiences, tylerdylan I would love to hear from you. How can your son still have some tumor left in his brain stem??
Please pray for my baby boy Cooper.

I will PM you.

[The Duchess]

Our family will be praying for Cooper, please keep us posted.

[Ornery]

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and Cooper.

[greeny]

I am praying for your little one.

[calebsmommy25]

Hugs Mama. Thinking of you and your family and sending out lots of prayers and good vibes for your little boy.