Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Although the early signs of cerebral palsy may not be easy to spot, they become more evident as the child grows. Parents are the first to notice developmental delays in their children. Milestones may not be met, setting off warning flags. In healthy children, these delays eventually resolve themselves. But unfortunately this is not the case for a child with cerebral palsy. For these children, the early signs of CP become more evident with every milestone missed.

Identification

• Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects the brain. The term "cerebral" is associated with the brain, and "palsy" is defined as a weakness. Therefore, in its simplest form, cerebral palsy can be defined as a brain paralysis that results in weakened motor skills. The symptoms of the disorder are on a broad scale and can range from mild to profound. Stiffness of the muscles, or an inability to control coordination or muscle movements, is common. Speech, posture and balance can also be present.

Types

• When considering the early warning signs of CP, it is important to identify the types. The most common form of CP is "spastic." This type of CP is denoted by stiff limbs and can affect one side of the body, the whole body, or just the legs. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is associated with coordination, and is further broken down into two subcategories known as '"ataxic" and "athetoid." Children that fall into the ataxic category often have an unsteady gait and problems with depth perception. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the face, the tongue and the mouth. Movements may lack control and be slow. At times, the two subcategories can present themselves at the same time.

Effects

• Early signs of CP begin to manifest themselves before the age of three, and symptoms usually become apparent to a baby's parents during the stages of infancy. Developmental delays may be the first obstacles that are noticed when an infant fails to reach expected milestones. Babies between the ages of two and six months may have difficulty supporting their own heads, and their physical movements may be rigid. They may also favor one side of their body. Older babies may not crawl or may seem to be unable to crawl. Babies as old as twenty-four months may show no evidence that they have the ability to walk.

Expert Insight

• Cerebral palsy is not known to stem from one specific origin. Instead, the disorder has a varied list of factors that may cause it to occur. The majority of cases can be traced back to problematic pregnancies and births, while others can be associated with brain injuries after birth. Infection and premature birth are also factors. Parents who are aware of any of these high-risk factors that may have affected their children's health are encouraged to pay close attention to their child's physical and mental development. Any noted differences should be discussed with their pediatrician.

Misconceptions

• There tends to be confusion surrounding CP and the disorder's future effects on the body. CP is not degenerative. In other words, the disorder does not progress or get worse as the child gets older. In fact, the symptoms that are present at the time of diagnosis are the worst-case scenario. With proper treatment and adaptive technologies, children with CP can often partake in everyday activities.