Question
What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy in a baby over two months old?
Answer
Hello, cerebral palsy may not be evident in the early stages and can gradually become apparent as the child grows. Symptoms may include being unable to lift the head and chest when lying on the stomach at three months, hands not opening and remaining in a clenched fist at four months, inability to hold the head up when sitting or standing at four to five months, inability to roll over from four to five months, not reaching out for objects, inability to sit or assume a normal sitting position at five to six months, legs crossing when supported to stand at six to seven months, and inability to crawl at eight to nine months. In addition, there may be increased muscle tone, slightly stiff limbs, backward tilting of the head, and a startle reflex after six months. The main symptoms are poor motor development, such as being unable to roll over at four to five months and unable to crawl at nine to ten months, with abnormal muscle tone and posture. The muscle tone may be low, and the sitting and crawling postures differ from those of normal children.