What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
No Ohio parent wants to learn that their child has suffered a birth injury, especially not cerebral palsy. As a disorder that affects the brain, it can lead to a variety of problems that remain throughout a child’s lifetime. These are the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy can be mild in some people but severe in others. It cannot be cured and there’s no way of knowing how it will affect your child until the symptoms begin showing. However, cerebral palsy is caused by birth injuries that damage the brain. In many cases, a child develops it during labor or childbirth. It can cause a slew of physical, intellectual and sometimes, emotional and behavioral problems.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy
The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary from person to person. If your child has been diagnosed or you suspect that they have the condition, you might notice spasticity and exaggerated muscle movements, the most common sign. They might also favor one side of the body and make writhing motions.
Babies with cerebral palsy often have
developmental delays with feeding such as difficulty sucking. If your child drools excessively, they may have problems swallowing. Speech can also be delayed compared with other babies their age.
Cerebral palsy often causes children growth delays as well; they may appear much smaller than other babies their age. The condition can impede your child’s ability to crawl, sit up or stand compared with these milestones in other children their age. Some babies with cerebral palsy develop behavioral and emotional disorders as well.
Most symptoms don’t worsen over time. Although it can’t be cured, some treatments could help manage muscle rigidity and other common symptoms.