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Galileo USA
Rifton
Weave
Adaptive Imports
PTPAC
Freedom Concepts Inc.
SleepSafe Beds
Boston Children's Hospital
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Concurrent Session

Neonatology

On-Demand: Little Limbs, Big Dreams: Management of Congenital Limb Differences in Newborns

On Demand
Congenital limb deficiencies, CLDs, are birth defects characterized by the aplasia, hypoplasia, hyperplasia, and duplication of bones of the limbs. Limb deficiencies, limb reduction defects, are classified as transverse, those due to intrauterine disruptions of previously normal limbs, or longitudinal, those that are isolated or associated with certain syndromes as well as chromosomal anomalies. The causes for the disruption of musculoskeletal development are unknown but thought to be categorized by genetics, environmental, drugs, and vascular. Infants born with CLDs often have cardiac, neurological, and gastrointestinal co-morbidities. The severity of the CLDs is dependent on number and level of limbs involved, co-morbidities, and psychosocial factors.
Infants born with CLDs face challenges requiring long-term care best provided by centers offering a multidisciplinary team specializing in orthopedics, neurosurgery, GI, cardiology, genetics, prosthetics, and occupational and physical therapy as well as psychological and emotional support for their families. Therefore, physical therapists play a significant role in the infant’s and family’s lifelong journey as they navigate through healthcare, school, and community environments.
This presentation will focus on the physical therapy management in the first year of life of infants born with CLDs with discussion of care across the lifespan. Included will be evaluation with focus on the CLDs and related co-morbidities, contracture management (positioning, range of motion and splinting where appropriate), supporting infant’s development, modifying equipment for positioning, and education to healthcare providers, family and caregivers. Advocating for the family, discharge planning, developing home programs, and coordinating referrals for early intervention providers

Learning Objectives:

  • 1. Understand the identification and classification of upper and lower CLDs in newborns and the impact of co-morbidities on the infant’s plan of care.
  • 2. Define the physical therapist’s role for children with CLD’s across the lifespan and throughout the physical therapy continuum of care.
  • 3. Advocate for children and families presenting with CLDs, by providing resources and recommendations to the multidisciplinary team, based on the individual child and family’s needs.