Question
A nine-month-old baby has not yet shown the ability to reach out for objects, and also cannot sit up or turn over. The baby is a seven-month premature infant, and the parents are worried about this situation, wondering what the possible causes might be.
Answer
If the baby exhibits symptoms such as difficulty with feeding, weak suckling, faint crying, excessive crying, being easily startled, excessive calmness, or less active movement after birth, consider hospital checks for cerebral palsy. The treatment for cerebral palsy requires comprehensive and diverse integrated treatment, including treatment for motor impairments, as well as interventions for associated language disorders, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, and behavioral abnormalities. In addition, cultivating the baby’s ability to face daily life, social interactions, and future vocational abilities is also an important part of the treatment.