Question
I’ve noticed recently that my child seems different from other children. While other kids can crawl at one year old, our child still can’t walk. When they look at things, they seem very dull. And when you call them, they don’t respond. I suspect my baby has cerebral palsy. What are the early symptoms of cerebral palsy?
Answer
Cerebral palsy typically refers to a central nervous system motor disorder caused by non-progressive brain damage or abnormal brain development due to various reasons within the first month after birth. Clinically, it is characterized by abnormal posture and muscle tone, muscle weakness, involuntary movements, and ataxia. It often accompanies sensory, cognitive, communication, and behavioral disorders, as well as secondary skeletal muscle abnormalities, and may include seizures. Most children with cerebral palsy have varying degrees of speech disorders, which may manifest as unclear pronunciation, difficulty in articulation, language expression difficulties, or even aphasia. Children with cerebral palsy often have strabismus, with esotropia being more common. Others may notice eye tremors, gaze disorders, myopia, hyperopia, and so on. In severe cases, cataracts, optic nerve atrophy, or even blindness can be observed.