Caused by brain damage in utero, during or after birth, cerebral palsy describes several chronic conditions that impair the body and the muscles' ability to coordinate and move properly. Signs of cerebral palsy usually appear within the first few months of life, and do not worsen over time. Recognizing the symptoms early and getting medical attention will allow you to put a care plan into place and maximize your child's chances of living a long and full life.
Muscle Tone Shifts
Infants with cerebral palsy usually experience gradual changes in muscle tone. A baby can go from being hypertonic, where muscle tone is weak and they are floppy or seem overly relaxed; to hypotonic, where muscle tone is increased and they seem rigid or even stiff. Other signs that muscle tone is impaired include a child holding his hand into tight fists, and asymmetrical movement where your baby will move one side of his body more easily than the other.
Developmental Delays
Delays in reaching developmental milestones is a huge red flag, according to the website About-cerebral-palsy.org. Infants with cerebral palsy often miss the developmental mark for rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking. Smiling and talking are often delayed as well. These developmental delays are often noticed quickly by parents who have older children.
Moro Reflex Retention
All babies are born with and gradually lose their Moro Reflex. The Moro Reflect can be seen when a newborn instinctively extends her arms as if embracing something when held on her back and tilted with her legs above her head. When an infant still has her Moro Reflex after six months, cerebral palsy may be suspected, according to the UCSF Children's Hospital.
Feeding Difficulties
Due to muscle coordination and muscle tone weaknesses, infants with cerebral palsy usually have feeding problem. Swallowing and sucking are difficult, and as a result, bottle feeding and nursing can be messy and your baby may have trouble eating efficiently. When it comes to introducing solid foods, infants with cerebral palsy will often push their tongues out forcefully, which makes getting and keeping food in a challenge.
