Signs of Cerebral Palsy

What are the signs Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy can be caused by birth defects or birth injuries. Signs vary depending on how the brain is injured, which parts of the brain are affected, and based on developmental milestones, when the symptoms become apparent. The main signs of cerebral palsy are problems with movement, coordination, and developmental delays. These include:

• Poor muscle tone resulting in floppy arms and legs (hypotonia)
• Rigidity in the muscles felt as stiffness or resistance to movement
• Uncontrolled or random movements in the arms or legs such as grasping or clapping
• Difficulty coordinating body movements
• Muscle spasms
• Tremors in the hands
• Difficulty swallowing or uncontrolled drooling
• Delay in meeting developmental milestones 
• Inability to hold up their heads when picked up
• Inability to roll over at 6 months old
• Inability to stand without help after 10 months

How early can Cerebral Palsy be diagnosed?

There is no test that confirms or rules out Cerebral Palsy so signs of the condition may not be immediately apparent. In most cases, diagnosis is made in the child’s first two years of life, although very mild signs may not become apparent until the brain is more developed, at around three to five years of age.

Although the condition can be hard to diagnose at birth, neonatal specialists can look for early indicators of neurological damage in the context of the baby’s family and medical history, and details of the birth, including prematurity, birth trauma, and complications during the delivery. Asphixia, a condition when a baby does not receive adequate oxygen during or just after birth, can lead to cerebral palsy. Conditions that cause asphyxia include a prolonged or traumatic delivery, the incorrect use of forceps, umbilical cord compression, or the use of a vacuum extractor leading to direct injury to the baby’s brain.