Patient's question:
My child is now over a year old. The child still cannot speak or walk. Every time, they just stare blankly at you, which makes me feel very uneasy. What are the symptoms of infantile cerebral palsy?Doctor's answer:
Hello, the symptoms of cerebral palsy typically manifest in infancy, 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 often 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 may only become apparent when the infant develops the ability to sit or even stand. Secondary changes such as joint contractures and spinal deformities also develop gradually.