Patient's question:
The son has always been in good health. However, he rarely laughs and sometimes doesn't smile even when he is teased. I am very worried. A few days ago, I took him to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor said he suffers from cerebral palsy. I wasn't familiar with cerebral palsy before. I would like to learn more about the early symptoms of children with cerebral palsy. What are the early symptoms of children with cerebral palsy?Doctor's answer:
Hello. Cerebral palsy symptoms manifest in infancy. They are often characterized by abnormal postures and delayed motor development. Although the brain damage or developmental abnormalities in affected children are non-progressive, their clinical manifestations can change as brain injury is repaired and development progresses. For example, severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy often presents with hypotonia in early infancy, which gradually transitions to hypertonia. Balance dysfunction typically becomes apparent only when the infant develops the ability to sit or even stand. Secondary changes such as joint contractures and spinal deformities also develop gradually.