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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

1065.0. "Can't do situps" by DATABS::TAYLOR () Mon Aug 05 1991 16:24

My nephew just went for a year checkup. He's 3.5 yrs old. His doctor became
very concerned when my nephew couldn't do a situp. He leans over on one side
and kindof used his elbows to sit up. The doctor is so concerned that he made
an appointment with a pediatric neurologist for next week.

Neither of my kids can do situps either. (But mine have low muscle tone, so I'm
not surprised.)

What's the point? What's the problem? Does anyone know? 

My nephew is one of those intellectual genius-type kids who has also hit every
developmental milestone VERY early, so  there has never been any cause for
concern with anything before. Also, his doctor is not the panicky type at all.
So this concern and calling in a neurologist is so out of character. 

Can you give me some clues?

Gale
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1065.1COMICS::FISCHERIan Fischer - UK Graphics SupportTue Aug 06 1991 11:085
Can he just physically not do a situp, or is he in pain
and so tries to avoid using his stomach muscles?


Ian
1065.2Favoring right sideDATABS::TAYLORTue Aug 06 1991 14:344
    No, he isn't in any pain, just can't do it without leaning over to one
    side (always the right side) and using his elbows to help him up.
    
    Gale
1065.3 OS2PS2::taberDesperately seekingTue Aug 06 1991 18:3613
Your doctor may be concerned that a pinched nerve is implicated.
It's amazing how specific the reaction is to something like
that.  When I had a back injury, the doctor put me through a
set of what I considered silly movements until he asked me to
walk on my heels and I couldn't!  He was able to accurately
judge the location and extent of the problem from watching me
flounder around trying to get the front of my right foot off
the carpet.

The best thing to do is call the doctor and ask why he thought
that was significant.

>>>==>PStJTT
1065.4No problemDATABS::TAYLORTue Aug 13 1991 02:095
    Turns out my nephew is fine. Seems they were suspicious of some kind of
    spinal problem, but they found nothing. As a matter of fact he did a
    situp perfectly for the doctor! KIDS!!!
    
    G
1065.5No problem? EXCELLENT!!ULTRA::DONAHUEOH! Do you still work here?Wed Aug 14 1991 15:233
    Its nice to hear stories with a happy ending. I can't blame the doctor
    for being cautious, but who can expect a child to do what you want,
    when you want them to? :-)
1065.6ISSHIN::MATTHEWSOO -0 -/ @Wed Aug 21 1991 11:5014
                      <<< Note 1065.0 by DATABS::TAYLOR >>>
                              -< Can't do situps >-

	In the 17+ years that I've taught Karate to kids, I've seen very 
few kids under the age of 8 that were able to do situps.  A friend of mine 
who is an exercise physiologist told me that the ilio-psoas (which is the 
hip flexor) doesn't begin to develop until 8 years old or so.

	I'd question the doctor if (s)he's becoming so concerned about this.


				FWIW

				 Ron