What are the early symptoms of cerebral palsy in children?

The causes of cerebral palsy in children are particularly complex and usually focus on three aspects: first, prenatal factors; second, intrapartum factors; and finally, postpartum factors. In fact, the early symptoms of cerebral palsy in children are also very obvious. So what are the early symptoms of cerebral palsy in children?

1. Fixed posture

The baby is very quiet after birth, with a weak cry or continuous crying. This condition is often caused by abnormal muscle tone due to brain damage, such as opisthotonos, frog position, and inverted U-shaped posture. It can be seen one month after birth.

2. Difficulty in breastfeeding

The child cannot suck after birth, sucks weakly or refuses milk, becomes tired and weak after sucking, often chokes and spit up milk, cannot close his mouth well, and has poor weight gain.

3. Abnormal head circumference

Experts say that head circumference is an objective indicator of the morphological development of the brain, and children with brain damage often have abnormal head circumference.

4. Body stiffness

This is a symptom of high muscle tone and can be seen as early as one month. If it persists for more than 4 months, it can be diagnosed as cerebral palsy.

5. Body weakness and decreased spontaneous movement

This is a symptom of hypotonia and can be seen as early as one month. If it persists for more than 4 months, it may be diagnosed as severe brain damage, mental retardation or muscle system disease.

6. Don’t smile

If a child cannot smile at 2 months and cannot laugh out loud at 4 months, he can be diagnosed with mental retardation.

7. Slow response and no response when the name is called

This is an early sign of mental retardation. It is generally believed that slow reaction at 4 months and no response when called at 6 months can be diagnosed as mental retardation.