Patient's question:
The baby has rarely cried or been fussy since birth. They don't have any major issues with feeding, but they always spit up. Their gaze is vacant, and they don't follow objects with their eyes. They mostly lie still and don't move around much. Something feels off. The baby was taken to the hospital for check-ups. The doctor said the baby has cerebral palsy and needs treatment. What causes fetal cerebral palsy?Doctor's answer:
Hello. Cerebral palsy in infants refers to brain damage in newborns caused by various reasons (such as infection, bleeding, trauma, etc.). Infant cerebral palsy is a disease that develops into paralysis due to non-progressive, central motor dysfunction. Severe cases may be accompanied by intellectual disability, epilepsy, limb spasms, and visual, auditory, and language dysfunction. The most common cause during childbirth is premature birth. If the birth weight is less than 2268g, the chance of cerebral palsy is higher. Other common causes include the incorrect use of forceps, dystocia, or prolonged labor leading to birth trauma or hypoxia. During childbirth, traction on the fetus's neck can lead to hemiplegia or quadriplegia. Local trauma can cause spastic hemiplegia. For example, if the fetus's head collides with the sacral promontory during dystocia, the fetus may develop hemiplegia during maternal convulsions.