As children grow, they reach milestones of play, learning, behavior and language development that change the way they interact with others and the world around them. Because some disorders are characterized by delays in these milestones, parents should become alert to any serious discrepancies. In some cases, early diagnosis can improve outcomes.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy or CP can result from brain abnormalities during fetal development, a lack of oxygen or brain injury during pregnancy or birth, brain damage from abusive shaking, accidents, meningitis, lead poisoning or malnutrition. It is more common in babies born prematurely or who had a birth weight of under 3.3 lbs, according to The Nemours Foundation. Effects differ, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the degree and location of brain damage. Children with cerebral palsy may have normal intelligence but lack motor nerve control, particularly affecting the neck, limbs and speech. Movement may appear stiff, jerky or non-purposeful. Some types of CP can affect involuntary muscles, balance, vision, hearing and depth perception. Typically, the features of CP become noticeable by age two. Difficulty sucking and swallowing and delays in rolling over, sitting, developing pincer grasp, standing and walking may alert caregivers to the condition.
Down Sydrome
According to the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, one in 733 babies is born with Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome. These children have an extra chromosome, an accident of cell division in the womb. Physical features and problems vary widely among Down syndrome children. Mosaic Down syndrome or MDS is a rare type characterized by having extra genetic material in some cells while other cells remain normal. The course of MDS is usually milder. Developmental delays in Down syndrome infants result due to poor muscle tone and impaired learning ability. Babies may feel "floppy" and have poor sucking and grasping reflexes. Rolling over, sitting up, standing, walking and speech are typically delayed.
Autism
Autism remains the most severe of a group of conditions known as autism spectrum disorders. Asperger's syndrome is the mildest. The cause of autism has not been determined but likely occurs due to a combination of inheritable and environmental factors. Autistic children may exhibit language and communication delays in infancy. A baby who doesn't smile by six months, babble by 12 months or talk by 16 months may benefit from expert evaluation. The loss of language at any age also proves significant. Timely intervention can improve the outcome for children with this disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the rate of autism averages one in 110 children, with boys at least three times more likely to be affected than girls.
Prenatal Drug Abuse
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University followed 415 babies born at a Cleveland Medical Center for two years. All the babies had cocaine metabolites in stool samples taken at birth. Significant delays in memory, language and problem solving were associated with the cocaine-exposed infants when compared to non-exposed babies of high-risk mothers. The scientists also found that prenatal tobacco use can cause delays in motor skills, such as rolling over, sitting, standing and walking.
References
- KidsHealth: Cerbral Palsy
- Down Syndrome Association of Orange County: About Down Syndrome
- Helpguide.org: Autism Signs, Symptoms, and Causes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Case Western Reserve University: At 2 years, cocaine babies suffer cognitive development effects, April 16, 2002
