Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy patients have difficulty moving or maintaining balance and posture. The condition often does not get worse over time, but doctors are frequently unable to completely cure patients who have symptoms of cerebral palsy.
The movement problems associated with cerebral palsy are caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone and allows the part of the body to stay in a certain position. This damage to the brain can occur while a baby is still in the womb, months after delivery or because of a birth injury suffered during the delivery process.
Early diagnosis
A cerebral palsy diagnosis is usually made within the child’s first months of life. Early signs that your child may have cerebral palsy include weakness or paralysis in one or more limbs, poor motor skills or the early development of right- or left-handedness (before age two), which may indicate problems in the other arm.
Because there are several different types of cerebral palsy, children who develop this condition can display a wide variety of symptoms as their bodies grow. Some of the most common cerebral palsy symptoms are stiff muscles, difficulty speaking, lack of muscle coordination, problems walking and difficulty with precise motions like writing.
Children with cerebral palsy may also show signs of mental retardation or seizures, but these symptoms of cerebral palsy are not always present.
Problems in the womb or during delivery
Although cerebral palsy cases can be caused by infection or problems in the womb, in some instances the condition may occur because of a birth injury that happens during the delivery process.
When the amount of oxygen reaching a baby’s brain is inadequate or when a doctor fails to properly monitor the child’s oxygen levels, this can cause brain damage and lead to cerebral palsy symptoms.
