“What is delayed myelination?”
My 10-month-old daughter had an MRI to address a few strange symptoms that I've noticed. The doctor said that the scan revealed 'delayed myelination'. What exactly does that mean?
2 Answers
It takes two years for babies to myelinate their brain. Myelin is a special material that wraps around the tails (axons) of nerves and help make it quicker for impulses to travel. It may or may not mean anything at this point. However, it will be important to follow your daughter's development as poor myelination is seen in some children with developmental issues. Make sure your daughter is seeing a pediatrician to follow this up.
Myelin is the insulation of the nerves, it allows nerve conduction and populations of cells to talk to each other. Myelin development during the first years of life shapes the pathways and connections that support function. There can be many different causes of delay of myelination. Making the diagnosis if possible is the next step.
