The symptoms in cerebral palsy are not the same for all age groups and may have varying levels of severity. A child with cerebral palsy may have exaggerated reflexes, or may have stiff muscles called spasticity. Moreover, their arms, legs and trunk may look floppy. Other symptoms consist of irregular body posture, uncontrollable body movements, and unsteady walking. It may even consist of a combination of all.
Cerebral palsy affects routine activities greatly. Some complain of having difficulty swallowing while others state that their eyes have difficulty focusing on a steady object. The muscle range also reduces in their joints because of muscle stiffness. There isn’t a definite cause for cerebral palsy and it may affect from individual to individual. While some can walk without help, others may require assistance for it. Some may experience intellectual disabilities while others may not. There might also be visual impairment such as epilepsy, blindness or some may even have hearing issues. It is essential to note that while there may not be a definite cure for cerebral palsy, there are treatments to reduce its effect. The condition of cerebral palsy usually remains the same over years.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy:
As mentioned above, the symptoms of cerebral palsy vary greatly from one individual to the other. The common symptoms of cerebral palsy are issues in mobility and body coordination, speech, development, eating and more. Therefore, let us dissect each section of symptoms relating to different aspects of the body.
- Movement and Coordination: The symptoms in movement and coordination may include:
- Rigid muscles and heightened reflexes, referred to as spasticity. This is the most prevalent movement disorder associated with cerebral palsy.
- Differences in muscle tone, like being excessively rigid or overly loose.
- Tight muscles exhibiting normal reflexes, referred to as rigidity.
- Deficiency in balance and muscle coordination, referred to as ataxia.
- Uncontrollable, quick movements referred to as tremors.
- Slow, twisting motions.
- Preferring one side of the body, like only using one hand to reach or dragging a leg during crawling.
- Difficulty walking. Individuals with cerebral palsy might walk on their toes or bend down while walking. They might also display a scissor-like gait with their knees intertwined. Alternatively, they might have a broad stride or an unsteady walk.
- Difficulty with precise motor skills, like fastening buttons on clothing or using utensils.
- Speech and Consuming Food: These symptoms associated with speaking and eating might arise:
- Holds in speech progress.
- Difficulty communicating.
- Difficulty with sucking, chewing, or consuming food.
- Salivating or difficulty with ingestion.
- Advancements: Certain children with cerebral palsy exhibit developmental symptoms like these:
- Hindrances in achieving motor skills milestones, like sitting up or crawling.
- Challenges in learning.
- Cognitive disabilities.
- Stunted development, leading to a smaller size than anticipated.
- Additional Symptoms: Injury to the brain may lead to additional neurological symptoms, including:
- Seizures, which indicate the presence of epilepsy. Kids with cerebral palsy can be diagnosed with epilepsy.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Issues with eyesight and alterations in eye movement.
- Discomfort or difficulty experiencing sensations like touch.
- Problems with the bladder and bowel, such as constipation and loss of bladder control.
- Mental health disorders, including emotional issues and behavioral problems.
The brain condition that leads to cerebral palsy remains constant over time. Symptoms typically do not deteriorate as one gets older. Yet, as the child ages, certain symptoms may either improve or deteriorate. Additionally, if not treated rigorously, muscle shortening and rigidity can intensify.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider and get an immediate diagnosis if the child shows symptoms of a movement issue. It’s essential that you visit a doctor if your child shows developmental delays. In case of loss of awareness or irregular body movements or posture, difficulty in speech, eating or more, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.