Question
An infant who hasn’t started walking often falls, speaks slowly with unclear articulation, has a dull gaze, and is slow to react. The child often tilts their head back and rarely smiles. The doctor’s diagnosis is cerebral palsy. What are the causes of cerebral palsy in children?
Answer
Cerebral palsy in infants is typically caused by oxygen deficiency before or after birth. Possible causes include: the mother having diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, anemia during pregnancy, abnormal umbilical cord or amniotic fluid, poor placental function, or pressure on the fetus in the womb. Additionally, excessive contractions during delivery or difficult labor may also lead to newborn asphyxia. If not treated promptly, cerebral palsy may result in abnormal posture and movement patterns, leading to muscle spasms, skeletal and joint deformities, and even exacerbation of intellectual disabilities. However, the brain tissue of infants has a high degree of plasticity and regenerative ability, and appropriate rehabilitation treatment can achieve the best results.