Patient's question:
Your friend's child suffers from cerebral palsy.Doctor's answer:
The symptoms of cerebral palsy in children include motor disorders, postural disorders, language disorders, visual and auditory disorders, growth and development disorders, dental development disorders, oral and facial dysfunction, emotional and behavioral disorders, and epilepsy.1. Motor Disorders: The motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy are lower than those of normal children of the same age. Their self-control over movement is poor. In mild cases, their hand and foot movements may appear slightly clumsy or uncoordinated. In severe cases, they may not be able to grasp objects with both hands, walk with both feet, roll over, sit up, stand, chew normally, or swallow properly.
2. Postural Disorders: Children with cerebral palsy often have abnormal body postures and poor stability. During movement or rest, their postures may be awkward and asymmetrical on both sides. In some severe cases, their heads may not be upright and centered like normal children but instead tend to tilt to one side or sway from side to side.
3. Intellectual Disorders: Among all children with cerebral palsy, about 1/4 have normal intelligence, while approximately 1/2 have mild to moderate intellectual deficiencies, and about 1/4 have severe intellectual impairments.
4. Language Disorders: Most children with cerebral palsy may have varying degrees of language disorders. Some may have difficulty expressing themselves or forming words, while others may have unclear pronunciation or stuttering. Some may even have aphasia, where they can understand others but cannot speak themselves. This condition is more common in children with athetoid cerebral palsy.
5. Visual and Auditory Disorders: Many children with cerebral palsy have nearsightedness or strabismus, with esotropia being more common. Hearing loss is more prevalent in children with athetoid cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy often have difficulty distinguishing the rhythm of sounds.
6. Growth and Development Disorders: Some mild cases of cerebral palsy may have growth and development that is basically or nearly normal, but most children with cerebral palsy grow shorter than normal children of the same age and appear developmentally delayed.
7. Dental Development Disorders: Most children with cerebral palsy have poorly developed teeth, which are loose and prone to decay. The incidence of dental diseases is higher in children with cerebral palsy than in normal children.
8. Oral and Facial Dysfunction: Some children with cerebral palsy have spasticity or uncoordinated contractions of facial and tongue muscles, leading to difficulties in chewing and swallowing, poor oral closure, and drooling.
9. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Many children with cerebral palsy, especially those with athetoid cerebral palsy, tend to be stubborn and willful, with large emotional fluctuations and a tendency to be easily angered or sensitive. Some may even be solitary and unsociable. Abnormal behaviors include:
(1) Compulsive behavior: Forcing themselves to perform a certain action.
(2) Self-injurious behavior: Hitting themselves or repeatedly banging their heads against walls.
(3) Aggressive behavior: Attacking others, though this is less common.
10. Epilepsy: Approximately 39%–50% of children with cerebral palsy develop epilepsy due to fixed lesions in the brain. Children with severe intellectual impairments have a particularly high incidence of epilepsy.