Why does my 12-month-old son doesn't respond to his name?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 12-month-old son is not yet pointing or waving. He does not look at me to share interest while playing and does not respond to his name. He is also sensitive to loud sounds.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out.

With the very limited information provided, a 12-month-old having an exaggerated response to sound (which suggests that hearing may not be the problem) but not responding to his name or showing interest in you or other family members can have multiple possible causes.

It could be a simple developmental delay (slower-than-expected development of skills such as communication, learning, or social interaction), which he may overcome with additional training and support.

However, it is important to rule out autism (a brain development problem that can affect how a child talks, acts, and relates to other people). Based on the limited information provided, this is one possible diagnosis to consider.

It could also be due to a genetic disorder (a condition caused by changes in genes) or a chromosomal disorder (a condition caused by abnormalities in chromosomes), which may require specific tests.

The very first step is obtaining a detailed history, starting from the pregnancy and delivery. Please tell me the following:

What happened after birth?
Did he cry immediately after birth?
Did he require oxygen support after birth?
Did he have significant jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels) that required phototherapy (light treatment used to lower bilirubin levels)?

Other important details include his developmental milestones, such as when he started smiling, rolling over, sitting, standing, and walking, or any other milestones you can remember.

I suggest getting some basic blood tests done, including the following:

CBC (complete blood count).
CRP (C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation).
PCT (procalcitonin, a blood test that may indicate bacterial infection).
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a marker of inflammation).
LFT (liver function tests).
CK (creatine kinase, an enzyme that may indicate muscle injury or disease).

Consult a pediatric psychologist (a specialist who evaluates children's behavior and development) for an assessment for autism, which involves standardized scoring tools.

If these evaluations are normal, further specialized tests may be required.

No medication is recommended at this stage.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.