Question
A two-year-old child is slower in response and has difficulty concentrating and limited dexterity in hand and foot movements compared to same age peers. Is it possible that these symptoms indicate pediatric cerebral palsy?
Answer
The symptoms of pediatric cerebral palsy can be categorized into various types. First, spastic type is characterized by stiffness in the limbs. Second, dyskinetic type involves involuntary movements of the limbs, head, and hands and feet, with the involuntary movements exacerbating during intentional actions, such as furrowing brows, blinking eyes, speaking, and difficulty swallowing, often accompanied by drooling. Moreover, ataxic type is characterized by muscle weakness in the limbs, inability to maintain body balance, unsteady gait, and incomplete fine motor skills such as those required for finger and nose tip movements. Simple ataxia is less common, and ataxia may also be associated with the limbs…