Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Overview

Cerebral palsy is a health condition that primarily affects motor control and development. The disorder almost always appears by the age 2. It is not a muscular disease but rather a disorder caused by the brain. Most cerebral palsy is due to abnormal development of specific brain areas, but, in a minority of patients, it can be caused by head trauma or a disease that affects the brain such as bacterial meningitis, rubella or viral encephalitis. Cerebral palsy exists in four different forms that are labeled: Spastic, Athetoid (Dyskinetic), Ataxic and Mixed (a classification for when symptoms of more than one type are present). Recognizing the early signs of cerebral palsy can lead to early diagnosis and treatment that are essential to combat the effects of the condition.

Fine Motor Skills

Cerebral palsy typically affects the fine motor skills. Those suspected of having the condition often display difficulties involving their hands and fingers. For instance, a person showing such signs may have trouble holding on to small objects. A child with cerebral palsy may not be able to effectively manipulate scissors to cut paper or draw or write with a crayon or pencil. Parents who notice a child over 5 years old displaying consistent difficulty buttoning shirts, turning door knobs or any other movements requiring fine motor action should consult a physician to rule out the possibility of cerebral palsy.

Gross Motor Skills

Another early sign of cerebral palsy is a lack of development of gross motor skills. These are the large motions that are accomplished with the arms or legs. Infants that are "slow" to crawl, sit and walk should be assessed by a doctor experienced in recognizing symptoms of cerebral palsy. Older children, age 3 and above, who display difficulties with such activities as riding tricycles and kicking balls may be showing symptoms of the condition. Monitor how your child walks and how he moves his arms for signs of any motor impairment. Alert parents often spot subtle indicators which, when reported to the child's pediatrician, can lead to an early diagnosis and handling. According to the Facta Universitatis series "Medicine and Biology," those diagnosed early with cerebral palsy are likely to become less impaired than if the condition is recognized later due to patients receiving treatment sooner to combat the disorder's effects.

Excessive Muscle Tone

Many with cerebral palsy experience a rigidity of their muscles, which is displayed in such ways as maintaining a fist, keeping their heels off the floor while walking or showing stiffness in movement as though bending the joints is difficult. Movements will appear constricted and tight and often a person with cerebral palsy will suffer the rigidity only on one side of the body, which causes an unsteady walking gait. This is a sign of the most common form of cerebral palsy, which is referred to as spastic. The rigidity of muscles can also be displayed in unusual postures that are adopted by the person. Most movements appear stiff and difficult when they are able to be performed. Early diagnosis and intervention can help address issues of excessive muscle tone.

Hypertonia

A lack of muscle tone, often referred to as hypertonia, is sometimes an early symptom of cerebral palsy. Infants who "flop" when held at any age, have trouble holding up their heads when over 5 months or who sit with a rounded back or fall forward from a sitting position after reaching 8 months may be exhibiting early signs of the disorder. Older children may exhibit marked muscle weakness that is not apparent in their peers. Hypertonia can also cause vision problems making the sufferer lack the ability to track objects in his field of vision and preventing him from maintaining focus on a particular object. Other lack of muscle tone signs include "tongue thrusting" in which the afflicted is unable to keep his tongue in his mouth and "thrusts" it out. This symptom is often accompanied by heavy drooling.

Tremors

Often, certain cerebral palsy patients display body tremors in which involuntary shaking or jerking of the limbs and extremities occurs. This is a hallmark sign of the form of the disorder known as ataxic cerebral palsy. An ataxic sufferer may simply think of performing a general task such as picking up a shopping bag and then experience a resulting tremble in the hand and arm that will be involved in the action. This response is referred to as "intention tremor" and it worsens the closer the person moves toward the intended object. Though there is no cure for these tremors, doctors do commonly prescribe certain medications such as benzodiazepine, a type of tranquilizer, to help alleviate this symptom.