Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy in Babies: An Overview

 Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive neurological illness that affects movement, coordination, and motor skills. It’s a lifelong condition that has no cure. However, treatment programs can go a long way in minimizing pain and equipping your child with essential life skills. There are several early-age symptoms which if spotted in time, can expedite the diagnosis, and ensure early treatment for your child. Here, we take a look at some of the Cerebral Palsy symptoms in babies that parents can watch out for.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, coordination, and motor skills caused by damage or abnormalities in the developing brain. It often occurs as a result of damage to the head before, during, or after birth, and is a lifelong condition that may differ in severity from patient to patient. Treatment options such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, and Speech Therapy help in the recovery of motor skills and improve functionality for an independent lifestyle, as far as possible.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy in babies

The sooner a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy is made, the sooner your child can benefit from treatment. While most cases are diagnosed around two to three years of age, there are certain symptoms that manifest at a much earlier age. In general, the following are symptoms that could indicate Cerebral Palsy in young children:

• Deformities in joints and/or bones

• Poor coordination

• Retaining primitive reflexes past the appropriate age

• Involuntary muscular contractions in their limbs

• Floppiness with their limbs

• Slow, writhing movements

• Vision and/or hearing problems

• Decreased muscle mass

• Abnormal gait such as toe-walking or scissor-walking

• Poor bladder and/or bowel control

• Difficulty feeding as a baby

• Abnormal mouth patterns such as grimacing or repeatedly thrusting and retracting the tongue

• Drooling

• Inability to recognise faces

• Clumsiness and/or delayed development related to movement

In addition, parents should keep an eye out for the following signs at specific ages. 

Younger than six months:

• Inability to hold their head up when picked up while they are lying on their back

• Overextending their back and neck while being held

• Stiffening or scissoring of legs when picked up

• Stiffness or floppiness in the body

• Thumbs consistently bent towards the middle of the palm

Older than six months:

• Not rolling over 

• Difficulty in bringing their hands together

• Difficulty in raising their hands to their mouth

• Favoring one hand for actions, like reaching towards an object, while keeping the other hand in a fist

Older than ten months:

• Inability to crawl on all fours, and using their knees or buttocks to move instead

• Lopsided crawling that uses only one side while dragging the other

• Inability to stand even with support

It is important to note that certain developmental delays may correct themselves as the child grows older. Nonetheless, if your child displays one or more of the above symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible. 

How Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed

There are currently no formal procedures for detecting Cerebral Palsy. Typically, the doctor will conduct a developmental screening by observing the child’s behavior during clinic visits. The parents may also be questioned about how the child has been behaving at home – how they respond to touch, whether they favor any particular limb, whether parts of their body feel unusually floppy or stiff, and so on. Some of the signs they will watch out for include abnormal posture, abnormal reflexes, and poor muscle coordination.

If the doctor suspects that your child has Cerebral Palsy, they may order further tests to detect abnormalities in the brain and to rule out any other illnesses that could be causing the symptoms. These tests could include:

• MRIs: This takes about an hour to complete and involves the use of magnetic fields and radio waves, to create detailed cross-sectional images of the child’s brain. This can help in identifying lesions or other abnormalities.

• Cranial ultrasound: This is a quick and effective way to make a preliminary assessment for your child. It involves using high-frequency ultrasound waves to get an image of the brain. 

• Blood, stool, and urine tests: These will rule out any infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, or genetic disorders that could be causing the child’s developmental delays.

• Orthopedic tests: An orthopedic specialist can test motor development, and any abnormalities in the bones and/or joints.

• Cognitive tests: A cognitive specialist can examine the child to detect intellectual, behavioral, or psychological deficiencies.

Can Cerebral Palsy be detected at birth?

Many parents ask if there are any Cerebral Palsy newborn symptoms to watch out for. If your child experienced an injury at birth, it is critical to get them checked at regular intervals. However, it may not be possible to give an absolute diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy at an early age. This is especially true for milder cases of Cerebral Palsy where the symptoms are less pronounced. In that case, doctors recommend that parents continue to get developmental screenings done for their child after some time has passed, between six months to a year. This way, symptoms that may not have been evident earlier can be detected more accurately. Additionally, parents can opt for a second opinion if they are not satisfied with what the first doctor opines. 

In short, it is essential that parents keep a lookout for telltale Cerebral Palsy symptoms in babies, and get a diagnosis as soon as possible. Early intervention and treatment can enhance the child’s physical, emotional, and social potential and give them the best shot at a happy, productive life.

FAQs 

• How soon can you tell if a baby has Cerebral Palsy?

The signs of Cerebral Palsy typically appear in the first few months of the baby’s life, however many children are not diagnosed until age 2 or later.

• Do babies with Cerebral Palsy smile? 

Yes, a two month old baby should ideally be able to smile at people.

• Do babies with Cerebral Palsy kick? 

Babies with Cerebral Palsy do not kick as movement is unduly stiff or rigid.

This is one of the most distinguishing signs of Cerebral Palsy.

• Do babies with Cerebral Palsy sleep a lot? 

Sleep problems faced by children with Cerebral Palsy vary from one child to another. They may include excessive daytime sleeping.

• Are babies with Cerebral Palsy stiff? 

Babies with spastic Cerebral Palsy do not move smoothly. Their muscles tend to be tight and stiff, which cause movements to be jerky. Often, the muscles do not do what the child wants them to.

• Can a baby with Cerebral Palsy walk?  

Yes, many children with Cerebral Palsy can walk. They can walk on their own, with or without mobility aids like walkers or crutches.

• How are babies tested for Cerebral Palsy? 

Common tests conducted by neurologists to diagnose Cerebral Palsy may include neuroimaging such as cranial ultrasound, computed tomography scan (CT Scan), and magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs).

• What are the chances of having a baby with Cerebral Palsy? 

Studies conducted in the United State opine that 2.3 per 1,000 children are born with Cerebral Palsy. Approximately 10,000 babies born each year will develop Cerebral Palsy.

• Can babies with Cerebral Palsy breastfeed? 

When breastfeeding a baby with Cerebral Palsy, you may need to provide additional support to your baby's head and body. The feeding may take longer than usual, especially if your infant has poor oral muscle control. Children with Cerebral Palsy commonly have feeding and swallowing disorders. Some babies with Cerebral Palsy may not be able to feed at all on their own.

• How long can a child live with Cerebral Palsy? 

Children born with Cerebral Palsy can generally expect to live between 30 and 70 years on an average.