 In at least
80% of children with developmental delays,
including attention deficits and autism, there
is a history of traumatic birth. In each
diagnosis there are manifestations of various
aspects of cerebral dysfunction, which in
simple terms mean that the brain is not
functioning as efficiently as it should.
The brain is contained within the bony skull,
which at the time of birth is designed to
accept the temporary compression of the birth
canal, and expand fully when the baby cries
immediately after birth. The lower end of the
central nervous system is located within the
sacrum, the large bone forming the back of the
pelvis. This, too, is designed to absorb the
compressing forces of the contracting uterus,
and then be restored by bodily movements after
birth. The vertebral column protects the
spinal cord connecting the head and the
pelvis.
Problems of labor and delivery may compromise
these structural areas and thus disturb the
nervous system within, thus interfering with
its physiological development. Any of the
following could be problematic:
-
False labor before real labor began
-
Premature rupture or leakage of
membranes
-
Induction or acceleration of labor by
use of medication
-
Presentation of baby in other position
than face down
-
Very long (>18 hours) or very rapid
(<3 hours) labor
-
Epidural anesthetic
-
Forceps or vacuum extraction
-
Cord around the baby's neck one or
more times
-
Severe slowing of baby's heart
-
Period of uterine inertia, i.e.
contractions stopped or slowed
-
Cesarean section delivery because of
lack of progress
The condition of the newborn baby or infant
can also provide evidence of the health of its
nervous system. Signs of potential difficulty:
-
Delay in sucking of more than 24-48 hrs.
-
Vomiting or spitting up after feeding
-
Arched back or throwing head back when
held on mother's shoulder or lying
on the side
-
Asymmetrical motion of arms or legs
-
Spells of inconsolable crying
Lack of sequence or missing stages in motor
development going from: rolling over, crawling
flat on floor, creeping on hand and knees,
cruising around furniture, and walking at
approximately one year Any of these signs in
the baby suggest that some areas of the
central nervous system have been comprised. It
is true that sucking may be established in a
day or two or more, and that vomiting may stop
in a month or two. The arching of the back and
extension of the head may be less obvious when
progression is made to standing and walking,
but then toe-walking may be apparent.
Children of school age who manifest problems
may already have been subject to a variety of
medicinal interventions. They may also have
perceptual dysfunction's that interfere
with visual and auditory skills. These
children are in dire need of structural
treatment to restore the musculoskeletal
integrity of the whole body.
A comprehensive osteopathic approach with
precise, gentle, restorative manipulative
therapy can help these children immeasurably.
The general level of well-being, as well as
neurological function, will significantly
improve. Adjunct therapies, such as visualand
auditory perceptual training, tutoring and a
well-balanced diet of whole, natural foods,
perhapswith carefully selected supplements,
will then be far more effective.
Structural dysfunction resulting from birth
trauma can be corrected early so that
neurological development progresses
satisfactorily. Then academic, behavioral and
developmental problems can be averted by
establishing or restoring optimal
anatomic-physiologic integrity. Therapeutic
measures can teach a child how to use the body
efficiently. When you have your next baby,
have an osteopathic physician evaluate and
treat you, the mother, during pregnancy in
order to reduce any possible complications
during labor and then provide a though
evaluation of your baby during the newborn
period. This is the essence of prevention.
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