Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

[wife of cmt]

My husband was diagnosed with CMT when my youngest child was just 5 weeks old (Sept 2004). I have 2 boys, ages 3 & 6. The 6 yr old does not have high arches, he has very flat feet. He can hardly flex his feet and the muscles in his legs and feet seem very "tight". His handwriting is still about the age of a 4 year old. He doesn't have very good fine motor skills. Would these be a sign that he has CMT? How would the doctors test for that? Do we have to go to a genetic dr?

Thanks,

[finngirl]

Get an emg test from a neurologist. I suggest seeing a neurologist who sees alot of people with cmt. Those symptoms could be symptoms of cmt.
be well,
j

[TaLLan]

CMT can give a person pes cavus (high arches) or flat feet. What to look for is wasting in the lower legs and lower forearms. Also look for clumsiness tripping weakness in the hands and feet. not everyone has all the symptoms but the only way to tell for sure it to be tested genetically. Neurologist only indicate CMT, they can not diagnose it. Also there are about 50 known types of CMT and there are only genetic test for about 25 of these so even if the genetic test come back negative the person can still have a form of CMT for which there is no genetic test yet. Good Luck with your children