An Online Resource On Cerebral Palsy

This site is intended to provide information on the associated conditions of cerebral palsy.

Infant and Toddler Symptoms suggesting a diagnosis

Infants at the highest risk for developing cerebral palsy exhibit one or more of these factors: premature; low birth weight (<5 lb 7 oz); do not cry within 5 minutes of delivery; sustained on a ventilator more than 4 weeks; brain hemorrhage.

Other risk factors include the following:

 Complications in pregnant mother(vaginal bleeding after 6th month, proteinuria, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, Rh incompatibility, mental retardation, seizures)

 Breech birth(born feet or buttocks first)

 Labor and delivery complications (vascular or respiratory problems; may indicate brain damage or abnormal brain development)

 Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.; CP may be due to prematurity or intrauterine growth retardation)

 Birth defects (malformation of spinal bones, hernia in groin area, abnormally small jawbone, microcephaly)

 Newborn seizures

 Low Apgar score

 Infant heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color are each scored as 0 (low), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (normal) after delivery. A total score of 7-10 at 5 minutes is considered normal; 4-6, intermediate; and 0-3, low. Scores that remain low 10-20 minutes after delivery indicate increased risk for CP.

 

Here is a list of symptoms which may indicate that a child has Cerebral Palsy:

 Excessive lethargy or irritability

 High pitched cry

 Poor head control

 Weak suck/tongue thrust/tonic bite

 Oral hypersensitivity

 Decreased interest in surroundings

 Stiff or floppy posture

 

Additionally, Delay in reaching developmental milestones may indicate that the child has cerebral palsy:

 Control hand grasp by 3 months

 Rolling over by 5 months

 Independent sitting by 7 months

 Hand preference by 12 months

 Excessive arching of back

 Log rolling

 Abnormal or prolonged parachute response

 “W sitting” – knees flexed, legs extremely rotated

 “Bottom shuffling” Scoots along the floor

 Walking on tip toe or hopping