Question
After birth, the baby shows some abnormalities such as less crying, dull gaze, less eye movement, weak suckling strength, and stiff facial expression. The doctor says the baby is a cerebral palsy child. How can neonatal cerebral palsy be distinguished?
Answer
Neonatal cerebral palsy is a non-progressive brain injury that occurs during the developmental period within the first month after birth, resulting in a complex syndrome. It primarily manifests as central motor impairment and postural abnormalities. It may be accompanied by intellectual disability, seizures, abnormal behavior, or sensory impairments. It is necessary to rule out central paralysis caused by progressive diseases and normal transient developmental delays in children. The differential diagnosis of neonatal cerebral palsy mainly includes the following four aspects of abnormalities: delayed motor development, abnormal muscle tone and posture, decreased and/or abnormal voluntary movements, and abnormal reflexes. The means of rehabilitation treatment are mainly based on Chinese medicine methods, including massage, acupuncture, and functional exercises. It is recommended to go to a large hospital’s rehabilitation treatment center for systematic treatment, but this is a slow process.