Question
Parents consult experts, wondering if their child has mitochondrial disease or meat alkaline deficiency. The mother had a cold in the third month of pregnancy, but no virus was detected in the examination, and no medication was taken. The daughter was born by cesarean section at full term, with no obvious hypoxia at birth and no emergency treatment was performed. There is no family history of genetic or metabolic diseases. The child could sit at 9 months and crawl at 10 months, without any other abnormalities. Since 18 months old, symptoms such as unsteady standing, inability to walk, having a voice but slow speech development, and strabismus in both eyes have appeared. At that time, the diagnosis was cerebral palsy. After nearly half a year of rehabilitation training, there was no improvement. In November 2006, an MRI showed atrophy of the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The West China Second Affiliated Hospital suspected it to be NCL. In February 2007, Peking University First Hospital diagnosed that all symptoms were caused by brain maldevelopment due to hypoxia, which could be diagnosed as cerebral palsy. The condition itself would not progress, but without rehabilitation training, joint deformities might occur.
Answer
Firstly, it is recommended to use medication to promote brain development, suggesting traditional Chinese medicine Guilou Nao Kang (Turtle and Dragon Brain Health), and to accompany it with rehabilitation training, including standing, walking, running, and jumping. Simultaneously, language training should be conducted from single words and gradually increase, focusing on clear pronunciation rather than speed or quantity. No additional tests are needed; treatment should be started as soon as possible to avoid future difficulties in care.