Cerebral palsy (CP) can be caused by a failure of the brain to develop normally during pregnancy, or by damage that is inflicted during pregnancy and/or childbirth. CP can also be the result of a brain injury that occurs within the first few months or years of a newborn’s life. Afflicted children will display some or many cerebral palsy characteristics, such as mental delays, seizures, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities that affect vision, speech, and hearing.
Pregnant mothers will want to know what the cerebral palsy risk factors are before and during birth, and just how a doctor can tell if a baby has CP in the weeks and months after a baby is born. Knowing the risks and symptoms will be the first step in preparing for a baby with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
Mothers who do not take care of themselves during pregnancy are increasing the risks that their babies will be born with cerebral palsy. Other CP risk factors cannot be foreseen or avoided. But a few of them can be controlled through diet, exercise, bed rest, and other measures recommended by their doctors. Here are some of the cerebral palsy risk factors during pregnancy:
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Poor nutrition
- Thyroid disease
- Seizures/genetics
- Incompetent cervix
- Improper growth of the placenta (either covering the cervix or separating from the uterus prematurely)
During and after birth, if a baby does not receive the proper amount of oxygen due to breathing or blood flow problems, is born prematurely, or if the delivery is extremely difficult due to the baby’s position in the womb (breech, for example), these may also be risks of cerebral palsy. Other post-birth problems include choking, seizures, and meningitis.
CP Symptoms at Birth
During the post delivery examination, a doctor may be able to determine whether or not a baby has sustained brain damage. Abnormal reflexes, breathing, muscle tone, and heart rate are some of the first signs of cerebral palsy. During the first months of life, parents may also observe any of the following cerebral palsy characteristics:
- Fussiness/high-pitched crying spells
- Shivering in arms and legs
- Feeding problems (due to deficiencies in swallowing and sucking reflexes)
- Seizures indicated by staring, eye and body twitches, and lack of alertness
Later on in a baby’s life, parents may notice a delay in motor skills development and awkward muscle movements, as well as many of the physical issues (eyesight, hearing, etc) mentioned above.
Cerebral Palsy Characteristics in Children
Children with CP will have significant challenges ahead of them as they attempt to overcome the many issues that they will be facing with this disorder. Characteristics of cerebral palsy vary greatly in children depending on the extent of the brain damage/injury. Kids with cerebral palsy may experience problems with digestion. They may have physical disabilities associated with hearing and vision. They may have speech and language difficulties, as well as sensory processing disorder.
Children with CP may also experience seizures, breathing problems, and bladder control issues. Kids with cerebral palsy could also have curvature of the spine (known as scoliosis) that will affect mobility and the efficiency of heart and lungs.
The good news is that cerebral palsy is not a progressive disability. In other words, the brain damage or injury that caused CP will not get worse over time. However, it is important that parents seek out early intervention for their child. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and proper CP special education services will be vital to the development of a youngster with cerebral palsy.
Sources:
Geralis, Elaine (editor). Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Parents’ Guide. MD: Woodbine House, 1998.
Albrecht, Donna. Raising a Child Who Has a Physical Disability. NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.
Karen Plumley - Karen Plumley is a writer specializing in parenting and education. She works for Parenting NH and the Hippo, NH's most widely read ...
