Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a number of disorders that affect muscle coordination and body movement. It isn't a disorder of the muscular or skeletal systems, but rather it is an abnormality in parts of the brain that control the movement of muscles. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the majority of children who have cerebral palsy are born with it. It's possible that it might not be detected, however, for years. Cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but it is a non-progressive disease; that is, the condition does not worsen over time.
Step 1
Perform a mental checklist of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of a newborn having cerebral palsy. Children that are born prematurely, that have a low birth rate, that do not cry in the first five minutes of life and that have to be on ventilators for extended periods of time, over four weeks, are more likely to have cerebral palsy. These risk factors should be discussed with a physician.
Step 2
Ask the physician to check for congenital malformations in systems such as the kidneys, heart or spine. Newborns that have these congenital malformations are more likely to have cerebral palsy.
Step 3
Watch for seizures. Newborns who exhibit seizures have increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. Make sure members of the medical staff are aware of any seizures that happen out of their presence.
Step 4
Learn the Apgar score, which is given to a newborn based on several factors such as skin color and muscle tone. Babies with low Apgar scores, less than three after 20 minutes, have increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. Low Apgar scores result from pale skin, slow or irregular breathing, low heart rate, no reaction to a mild pinch and blueness in the skin.
Step 5
Watch for jaundice. This condition is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. If untreated, jaundice can result in a neurological condition that can lead to cerebral palsy.
Tips and Warnings
- Although cerebral palsy can't be cured, treatment can improve a child's capabilities.
- Cerebral palsy cannot always be detected in newborns.
