Question
A 41-day-old male infant, who was able to briefly lift his head while prone a few days ago, can now lift his head for 1 to 2 minutes. However, when held upright, his head tends to tilt backward, and he dislikes lying on an adult’s shoulder. His limbs appear somewhat rigid, and he prefers to tilt his head backward. What are the symptoms of neonatal cerebral palsy?
Answer
The symptoms of neonatal cerebral palsy may include the following:
- Softness in the body and a reduction in spontaneous movements, which is a sign of hypotonia and can usually be observed within the first month after birth. If this condition persists for more than four months, it may indicate severe brain damage, intellectual disability, or a muscular system disease.
- Stiffness in the body, which is a sign of hypertonia and can also be observed within the first month after birth. If it persists for more than four months, it may be diagnosed as cerebral palsy.