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 and have a vacant stare. They don't follow objects with their eyes and barely move when lying down, which feels off. The doctor at the hospital diagnosed the baby with cerebral palsy and said treatment is needed. What causes fetal cerebral palsy?Doctor's answer:
Hello, infantile cerebral palsy refers to a disease that develops in infants due to damage to brain tissue caused by various reasons (such as infection, bleeding, trauma, etc.), leading to non-progressive, central motor dysfunction and eventually resulting in paralysis. Severe cases may be accompanied by intellectual disability, epilepsy, limb spasms, as well as visual, auditory, and language dysfunction. The most common cause during childbirth is premature birth. If the birth weight is less than 2268g, the likelihood of cerebral palsy is higher. Other causes are usually due to incorrect use of forceps, dystocia, or prolonged labor, resulting in birth trauma or hypoxia. During childbirth, traction on the fetus's neck can lead to hemiplegia or quadriplegia. Local trauma can cause spastic hemiplegia, such as when the fetal head collides with the sacral promontory during dystocia, or when the fetus experiences hemiplegia during maternal convulsions.