REASONS FOR CONCERN IN FIVE MONTH OLD INFANTS

It is not generally possible to tell if a young infant’s delay(s) will be of significance to later development. However, by noting these problems early and providing appropriate services the impact of delays may be minimized, skills may be enhanced, and the level of skills may be maintained.  It is important to remember that a child’s medical history can be critical in determining whether a further evaluation or therapy is needed.  A particular delay in development may require a different response depending on the infant’s previous medical and developmental course.  While for children who have no history of health problems, a "wait and see" approach may be appropriate for some delays, in high-risk infants developmental delays generally warrant more immediate attention.

If you notice any of the behaviors listed below, speak to your child’s primary care provider about your concerns.  Your child’s primary care provider can help decide if your baby needs an evaluation by a pediatric audiologist, pediatric ophthalmologist, developmental psychologist, physical/ occupational/ speech therapists, or other specialists.

It may be of concern if by five months corrected age an infant:

• cannot lift her head when placed on her stomach or is unable, in this position, to push up on her arms lifting head and chest.
  
  
• always holds her legs in a rigid, stiff, extended position.
  
  
• holds one hand tightly fisted while the leg on the same side is rigid and straight.
  
  
• keeps both hands fisted and you have to pry them open.
  
  
• keeps herself in the same position all the time (and if you position her differently, she manages to quickly get back to her strongly favored position).
  
  
• refuses to be placed on her stomach and when placed on her back she moves by arching her back and inching backwards with the use of her head.
  
  
• moves her eyes rapidly back and forth when trying to look at something straight in front of her, or does not appear to be looking at or following a person or toy, even briefly.
  
  
• does not startle or respond when there are loud sounds.
  
  
• does not usually become calmer or still in response to your voice.
  
  
• sucks liquids from a bottle or the breast poorly (drools most of the milk down her chin, gags, chokes or spits up frequently).
  
  
• generally is hungry and eager to eat, but tires quickly and does not finish her feeding.