Spotting The Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy

 

Every parent desires that their child to develop healthily and gain strength. Occasionally, we detect that our infant's movements fall behind those of other children. The signs may point to cerebral palsy, which impacts movement control and development in babies.

 Early detection of these warning signs allows us to support our children in receiving better medical assistance. It is common for parents to stay concerned about their children's development. To assist these parents, we will explain early cerebral palsy symptoms in this article.

 Signs of Cerebral Palsy to stay aware of the condition

 In the first few months of your baby's life, you should look out for these signs:

 ●     Stiffness or floppiness in the baby's arms and legs

●     Trouble holding their head up at 3 months of age

●     Having difficulty feeding or swallowing

●     Not reaching for toys by 4 months

●     Pushing away with only one side of the body

●     Feeling very stiff or very loose when you pick them up

 Key Indicators of Cerebral Palsy Across Different Ages

 0-3 Months

During the first three months, watch if your baby:

●     Has difficulty lifting their head while lying on their tummy

●     Shows unusual stiffness in their legs

●     Feels either too floppy or too stiff when you hold them

●     Doesn't respond to loud noises

●     Has feeding problems

 4-6 Months

At this stage, notice if your child:

●     Cannot bring their hands together

●     Has trouble rolling over

●     Only uses one side of their body to move

●     Shows unusual eye movements

●     Doesn't smile at people

 6-12 Months

Look for these signs:

●     Not sitting without support for 8 months

●     Not babbling or making sounds

●     Having trouble picking up small objects

●     Not crawling or scooting around

●     Shows preference for using only one hand

 Conclusion

 Reach out to the Trishla Foundation to get the best doctor to treat you for cerebral palsy whenever these signs appear. Our medical professionals will provide the best guidance on any necessary additional examinations for your baby. When your child displays such warning signs, you should seek early medical advice, as the signs do not necessarily mean your child has cerebral palsy.

 

Risk Of Cerebral Palsy During Birth

The most common reason for brain damage which ultimately leads to Cerebral Palsy (CP) is oxygen deprivation for the newborn or the fetus. This condition is also known as birth asphyxia. For certain children, difficult labor results in complications that could cause brain damage, and eventually CP.

Brain damage that leads to CP may take place before birth, during birth, within one month of giving birth or in the first few years of a child’s life while the brain undergoes development. It is important that the presence of such a disorder is detected early, in order to commence cp treatment in India.

Here is the list of risk factors that can increase the chances of congenital cerebral palsy:

1) Infections during the pregnancy period- Herpes, rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus can infect the placenta and womb, which may result in cerebral palsy.

2) Multiple gestations- Twins, triplets and more births together could lead to CP. The risk is also high for an infant whose twin or triplet dies shortly after birth.

3) Exposure to harmful chemicals- If a mother happens to be exposed to toxic substances such as high doses of methyl mercury during pregnancy, the risk of CP is high.

4) Low weight at birth or premature birth- Infants who were born before term (in less than 37 weeks of pregnancy) as well as those weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth are at risk.

5) Medical conditions of the mother- Risk can be high if the mother is facing difficult health conditions such as :

a) Seizures

b) Abnormal thyroid activity

c) Excess protein in the urine

d) Developmental disabilities   

Almost 3.8% of the population suffers from cerebral palsy India. 15-20% of physically disabled children are affected by this disease. The topographic classification of CP has monoplegia, diplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia. Early diagnosis is very important for proper treatment, but then it cannot be detected in an infant less than 6 months old unless severity is very high. Repeated examinations and subsequent observation are necessary over time for mild cases before an exact diagnosis.