Question
What are the symptoms of neonatal cerebral palsy? What examinations should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis?
Answer
Cerebral palsy is a syndrome characterized by posture and motor function impairments, caused by non-progressive brain damage during the immature stage of brain development within the first month after birth. Neonates or infants at 3 months old may exhibit symptoms such as being easily startled, persistent crying, aversion to feeding, and sleep disturbances. In the early stages, they may also have difficulties with feeding, chewing, drinking, swallowing, as well as drooling and respiratory disorders. Additionally, they may have a lower sensory threshold, easily startled by noise or changes in position, with an enhanced startle reflex accompanied by crying and fussing. To confirm whether a neonate has cerebral palsy, doctors may recommend a series of examinations, including but not limited to neurological examinations and brain imaging tests (such as MRI or CT scans).