Question
My son has been very fussy and crying since birth. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention. Later, he didn’t know how to suckle properly. I heard that this might be cerebral palsy, and I’m very worried. I want to know the symptoms of children with cerebral palsy. I’ll take my son to the hospital for a check-up and treatment in a few days. What are the symptoms of children with cerebral palsy?
Answer
- Difficulty in Breastfeeding: Newborns cannot suckle properly. The suckling is weak or they refuse to breastfeed. They become exhausted after suckling. They often cough or vomit after feeding. Their mouths cannot close properly, and there is poor weight gain.
- Fixed Posture: Newborns are very quiet and have weak or persistent crying. This is often due to abnormal muscle tone caused by brain damage, such as opisthotonos or frog-like posture. These can be seen within a month after birth.
- Delayed Motor Development: Children with cerebral palsy have varying degrees of delayed motor development. While some may have normal gross motor skills, those with fine motor skills should be monitored closely.