Question
A premature infant is experiencing increased muscle tone and delayed responses to red balls and human faces, particularly when about to fall asleep or just waking up. However, all other test results are normal. The parents are worried that the child may develop cerebral palsy or other complications as they grow up, and the parents are not cooperative with treatment, making the situation more complex.
Answer
The diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not solely based on increased muscle tone or delayed responses to specific stimuli. Cerebral palsy often develops before birth or in infancy and common causes include birth injuries, neonatal jaundice, brain hypoxia, or prematurity. The main symptoms include increased muscle tone, difficulty with abduction, and in severe cases, muscle rigidity, seizures, and joint flexion posture. Mild cases may manifest as poor fine motor skills in the hands or difficulty placing the heel down when walking. Most patients also have language development and articulation issues.