Question
A two-and-a-half-year-old male child has been unable to speak or walk. After an MRI, the doctor diagnosed it as white matter developmental disorder and suspected it might be cerebral palsy. The child often sticks out his tongue when speaking. The parents want to know how to handle this situation and whether the hospital can provide treatment for cerebral palsy, along with the cost and duration of treatment?
Answer
White matter developmental disorder may be a precursor to cerebral palsy. It is recommended that the parents remain calm and quickly bring the child to a regular hospital’s rehabilitation department for assessment. Treatment usually involves comprehensive rehabilitation training, including acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and other methods to promote normal development of various systems and reduce the severity of disability. Most cases of white matter developmental disorder are related to genetic factors, such as X-linked progressive myelodysplasia.