Question
The baby’s upper body feels soft, and the doctor points out that their gross motor skills are at the level of a three-month-old. Does this situation indicate a risk of cerebral palsy?
Answer
Prematurity is a high-risk factor for cerebral palsy, and close observation is required. The diagnosis of cerebral palsy typically relies on two conditions: one is a history of prematurity, hypoxia, high bilirubin levels, or brain injury, and the other is the presence of motor impairments and inflexibility. Currently, the baby cannot roll over; can they stand up? How is the muscle tone in their limbs? Simply not being able to roll over is not enough to diagnose cerebral palsy. It is recommended to further observe if the baby has other abnormal conditions. At home, some preventive interventions can be done, such as passive exercises, but it is necessary to undergo specialized training first.