When damage is done to the brain, cerebral palsy may result. Impaired muscle movements and coordination characterize cerebral palsy.
Recognizing the signs of cerebral palsy in an infant is not easy. It may start by recognizing that the baby's movements are jerky and sudden - similar to cerebral palsy.
However as the child gets older signs become more apparent. Main types of cerebral palsy are:
Spastic cerebral palsy: is characterized by stiff muscles and it can affect either one side of the body or affect the entire body.
Athetoid cerebral palsy: slow, jerky uncontrollable movements characterize athetoid cerebral palsy.
Ataxic cerebral palsy: balance and coordination are off in this type of cerebral palsy.
Mixed cerebral palsy: This condition usually is made of symptoms of other cerebral palsy types.
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms that May be Displayed by a Child
An evaluation by a doctor is important if your child is displaying any cerebral palsy symptoms. A primary symptom of cerebral palsy is developmental delays.
Milestones in early childhood are important to watch and monitor as your infant grows. An evaluation by a doctor is necessary if your child is not meeting the milestones.
There are developmental delays to be aware of and some of these are:
*Head movements are uncontrollable after 2 months
*when the child is not sitting on their own after 10 months
*Not crawling after one year
*the child's body drags on one side
*after 2 years, the child is not walking
Child's posture and early hand preference are two other signs to be aware of when considering cerebral palsy. When a child shows preference for one hand over the other before the age of one they should be evaluated by a doctor.
Associated Conditions, Symptoms & Diagnosis
Children born with cerebral palsy will experience other associated conditions such as:
*Seizures
*Breathing problems
*Vision, speech, or hearing impairments
*Challenged in their mental development
If your child shows any of the signs mentioned you need to bring them in to be evaluated by a specialist. MRIs, CT scans, EEGs and other related tests will be given in order to diagnose effectively.
At times, cerebral palsy is due to neglect of the medical staff during the birthing process. These cases could have been avoided with adequate care and attention.
A medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case if you believe your child's cerebral palsy is due to medical negligence. Contact and attorney as soon as you receive a diagnosis for advisement of your legal rights.
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