Question
My baby was born weighing only 2KG and was a premature infant. She stayed in the hospital for a month in an incubator before going home. At 6 months old, I noticed that her behavior was a bit abnormal and she doesn’t laugh. I’m worried she might have cerebral palsy. Could it be caused by prematurity? Why does pediatric cerebral palsy occur?
Answer
Based on your description, the causes of pediatric cerebral palsy include genetic factors, pregnancy factors, birth factors, and neonatal period diseases. The most common cause is hypoxia in premature infants leading to cerebral palsy. It is recommended to observe the following symptoms for diagnosis: ① Newborns or 3-month-old infants may be easily startled, cry continuously, refuse to breastfeed, and have difficulty sleeping. ② Early feeding, eating, chewing, drinking, swallowing difficulties, and drooling, as well as respiratory disorders. ③ Infants over “100 days” still cannot lift their heads; when held up at 4-5 months, their heads still sway. ④ If an infant at 4 months old still has their thumb tucked in and their hands do not open, it should be suspected that they have cerebral palsy. It is recommended to take them to the hospital for an intelligence test.