Birth Injuries
Three Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Babies
If you have concerns about your child’s development, you should seek the advice of your child’s pediatrician. Below, we will discuss three signs to look for in your baby if you have concerns about CP.
When considering the red flags of development in your child from the lens of cerebral palsy, you are looking at three groups of signs, which are:
- Stiff muscles: spasticity
- Uncontrollable movements: dyskinesia
- Poor balance and coordination: ataxia
These signs may manifest differently in different children, particularly depending on the age and developmental ability of a child.
For example, we wouldn’t be too shocked to see that a newborn doesn’t have the muscle control to sit up on their own, just like we wouldn’t be shocked that an 18-month-old can’t balance on one leg.
Newborn Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Newborns aren’t known for doing much, which may make it difficult to determine if they are showing signs of muscular issues. Some of the ways this may present in your newborn could be:
- Difficulty with feeding and swallowing
- Stiff or floppy muscle tone
- Muscle spasms
- Side preference when lying or sleeping
- Unusual movement
- Overextending their back or neck away from you when they are held
- Poor reflexes
Infant Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
You may begin to see more signs of CP in your infant as they reach the age of milestones requiring muscle tone or coordination.
Some of the first things you may notice beyond the above-mentioned symptoms are:
- Difficulty holding up their head
- Not reaching the milestone for rolling over
- Delay in demonstrating simple gestures like clapping or waving
- Delayed speech of simple words like mama or dada
- Legs stiffening or crossed when your baby is picked up
- Difficulty sitting up
Hearing and Vision Deficits in Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy primarily affects muscles and movement, but in some cases, it also affects hearing and vision. Research has shown that nearly 75% of children with CP will also have vision problems.
Considering that much of our vision is based on muscles to coordinate where we are looking and focusing, it’s not surprising that vision may be affected.
The CDC reports that hearing loss may also frequently accompany a CP diagnosis. Like any of the other symptoms, the severity of loss can vary.
Important Milestones for Detecting Cerebral Palsy in Babies
Many new parents are unsure of what exactly is normal for their baby. If you have a child who has risk factors for CP, including a long or traumatic delivery, you should be aware of some red flags.
Many of these warning signs of cerebral palsy will correlate to your child’s developmental milestones.
Every child will develop at their own pace, but you may want to speak with your pediatrician about signs of cerebral palsy if you see your child struggling with some of the following:
- Rolling over by six months
- Crawling by one year
- Standing with support for ten months
- Difficulty bringing hands to mouth
Additionally, you may notice your child has a hard time reaching for you with both hands outstretched. Your child may keep a fist clenched. They may also prefer using one side of their body.
These delays may be present in babies who have cerebral palsy, but they may also be present in babies who don’t have it. If you have concerns, address them with your child’s doctor.
If you have a child who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, it could very possibly be a matter of medical malpractice.
As new parents of a baby, all you want is for your child to be happy and healthy. This is especially true after a prolonged or traumatic birth.
Testing and Diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy in Babies
The process of testing for and diagnosing cerebral palsy in babies can be incredibly frustrating for parents.
In many cases, physicians prefer to rule out other movement disorders and diseases that may mimic CP.
Further, if your baby has a mild form of cerebral palsy, it may be more difficult to identify symptoms.
The damaged brain tissue may not be obvious in scans.
Aside from considering the clinical symptoms, your baby’s physician may use blood tests or imaging to inform the diagnosis.
At Lopez McHugh LLP, we understand that your child’s well-being and appropriate care are at the forefront of your mind. By reaching out to an experienced Philadelphia birth injury lawyer, you are providing your family and child with the chance to receive compensation for your child’s medical needs and treatments.
Managing life with a differently abled child can be stressful and exhausting. So, let us handle the legal aspects while you focus on being the best parents you can be.
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
There is no definitive test to determine if your child will be born with CP.
Some perinatal infections or placental abnormalities may damage the fetal brain while developing.
Additionally, any issues that may pull oxygen or oxygenated blood from the brain or prevent it from reaching the brain can cause this kind of injury. Some risk factors, according to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, may include:
- Premature birth (<37 weeks gestation)
- Low birth weight
- Severe jaundice after birth
- Bleeding into the brain
- Multiples
Helping Your Baby with Cerebral Palsy
A diagnosis like Cerebral Palsy for your child can feel earth-shattering. You may be worried about how to afford the seemingly unmanageable financial burden of ensuring your child gets the best care to provide the best quality of life.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free case consultation. During this time, we can discuss the details of your case, your child’s delivery, and symptoms to determine what legal options and resources we can offer your child and your family.
At Lopez McHugh LLP, our Philadelphia birth injury lawyers have over five decades of combined experience navigating the legal system to get your family the support and compensation they deserve.
If your child developed CP as a result of the medical team’s negligence, we can fight for your right to compensation. This doesn’t take away your child’s injury, but it can provide support to ensure they can receive the care they deserve.
