Possible Cerabal Palsey?? (does anyone know the symptoms?)

Katrina - posted on 06/07/2012

By it's very nature, cerebral palsy is what is known as a static encephalopathy ... static meaning unchanging, encephalopathy meaning damage of the brain. This means that the damage has already been done. It sometimes, unfortunately, just takes years for the full effects to be known.

It's so hard to know when a child is young what kinds of problems they will have down the road. Each of my children had early MRIs and some down the road, while the damage itself didn't change the effects of that damage meant that it was being expressed in a different way, depending on plasticity, overall muscle control, and early therapy. Some problems also appear as the child grows older, as muscles grow and develop problems which weren't apparent before can show up and need to be addressed.

While early diagnosis is great, it isn't always going to happen. I don't remember the statistics on the number of children diagnosed with global developmental delay and who never find out a cause, but it is significant.

What our therapists always told us was to focus on the therapy they needed, for whatever reason they needed it ... and go after the diagnosis for additional help and therapies as well as educational assistance. Good luck! I know this - you can do this!

Joanie - posted on 01/22/2010

My son has CP and it wasn't unitl he was 2 he was diagnosed. Definately see a paediatrician and or a neurologist and find the answer if you are worried. I need to say my son is 5 and is the nicest little boy you could meet. I was terrified as well but I think I was more woried of the unknown.

Carolyn - posted on 01/21/2010

Have you gotten a second opinion? My daughter is 22 years old. When she was born her CT scan showed moderate to severe brain damage. We were sent home being told she could be severely disabled or go on to get her PHD some day. Do everything you can. You never know how the brain will develop. Our daughter is severely disabled and non verbal but she has been such a blessing in our lives. She brings us much joy. Keep a sense of humor. It's the only way to get through it.

Pam - posted on 01/21/2010

My son was diagnosed at 8 mos with CP. Tyler was very delayed. He was unable to suck a bottle, his extremeties were very stiff (tight muscles). He was not gaining weight and looked like a skeleton, he ran really high fevers and was on the brink of death when I walked into the ER of Childrens Hospital with him and asked to to please find out what was wrong with my child. 4 days later we had a diagnosis. Good luck with ur children, I hope the best for u all. Tyler is now 12 and a disabled child is a handful.

Liz - posted on 01/21/2010

I know what you mean about the names. My son was originally diagnosed with peri-ventricular leukomalacia. Now he is simply diagnosed with CP. Go figure?

Liz - posted on 01/21/2010

Does your child scare easily or do noises both him/her? Does your child seem to be stiff in any of his/her limbs? Does he or she tend to turn their head to the same side when they sit or sleep? Does your child turn over? Have you taken your child to a neurologist? My son has cerebral palsy, and he had some of these early signs. I pray for you that this is not the case for you or your baby, and I wish you all the support with your other child.

Brianne - posted on 01/20/2010

My 10 year old has CP and has had many scans done on his brain and they cannot find the damaged area. It looks fairly "normal". But, he definitely has CP...just one of those strange things they cannot figure out.

Teresa - posted on 01/19/2010

Calcium deposits in the brain can manifest like many things. My son has calcium deposits. His neurologist says his disability manifests a lot like CP, but it's in the dystrophy family.



I've gathered from our physiatrist and neurologist that CP is a one time event. If you see your child going backwards and loosing skills, call your neurologist and ask for an MRI.



Also, contact your school district's department of special education. Your child may qualify for infant early intervention services, depending on where you live. Your state (I'm assuming you are in the US?) may have a regional agency that works with children with disabilities, and supports them with services, information, and medical equipment.

Get all the information and help you can! You are the best advocate for your child, and the mommy knows the best!

Carissa - posted on 01/19/2010

Hi, Cerabal palsey is a general term for damaged brain. It can go any where from very mild ( i met a nurse with cp) it sever. I am the mother of 3 little girls. 2 of which were born With CP. There are more tecnical names then CP but the can be too long to remember. LOL. Some things you can look for are the ways they express themselves. For example My oldest girl (who has CP) was that age would bow her back (throwing her head back). The crying doesn't always sound like a regular baby would cry. Some of these things helped me to learn that my now 3 year old had problems before the doctors did when she was first born. Remember there is a wide range of levels when refuring to CP. No two children with the same problem name like CP is going to be the same.

M - posted on 01/19/2010

My 8dd has mild cp and a weakness on one side. the things the doctors watch for are the milestones. the biggest was that my daughter was not holding her head up at 3mos..most do it at 2mos but 3mos it should be obvious. my dd was still a floppy mess. look up baby milestones and keep track of what she should be doing and when. call early intervention for an eval if you have not already.

SARAH - posted on 01/17/2010

I know how you feel... Our 3.5 year old still has no 'formal diagnosis' and has been labelled with Global Developmental Delay, Hypomobility syndrome, talipes, and glue ear. She also has partial hearing and is long sighted with a squint. She has all the 'indicators' of CP but is making very steady and positive progress. She had her 1st MRI scan at 19 months and it was too blurry and she was too young apparantly so they ruled it out... All I can suggest is to keep pushing for tests. Keep fighting for all the help and support your child deserve - Physio, Occupational Therapy for pre - school entry, enquire about splints / orthotic foot devices if your child has turned feet, Counselling and Portage advisory. Without my strength, love and determination as a Mother my Daughter wouldn't be as advanced as she is today... Don't let others doubt your concerns, and if they turn out incorrect then thats a miracle in itself! Keep faith in your own abilities as a mother. You carried and nutured that child therefore you know her better than anyone. Try liquid omega 3 in her bottle / foods at the highest dose (unless epileptic) I swore by it. Take care xx

Kendra - posted on 01/17/2010

We have had a CT scan done and all they saw was calcium deposits in the brain. So they concluded she was fine. But her physical therapist says her problem is neurological. Could they have missed something??

Cassandra - posted on 01/17/2010

I know you are scared. I felt the same way when I suspected something was not quite right about my daughter. The best advice I can give you is to go get it checked it out. The earlier cerebral palsy is diagnosed the sooner you can get your baby into early development intervention services. I know how tough this can be, but checking it out is in the best interests of the child. You have to stay strong for them.

Susan - posted on 01/17/2010

Cerebral Palsy is a "bucket" term for brain damage. They symptoms would depend on the section of the brain that is damaged. A scan of his brain would tell you all you needed to know.

Nicole - posted on 01/16/2010

Cerebral palsy causes-

Cerebral palsy results from damage to certain parts of the developing brain.





•This damage can occur early in pregnancy when the brain is just starting to form, during the birth process as the child passes through the birth canal, or after birth in the first few years of life.





•In many cases, the exact cause of the brain damage is never known.

At one time, problems during birth, usually inadequate oxygen, were blamed for cerebral palsy.





•We now know that fewer than 10% of cases of cerebral palsy begin during birth (perinatal).





•In fact, current thinking is that at least 70-80% of cases of cerebral palsy begin before birth (prenatal).





•Some cases begin after birth (postnatal).





•In all likelihood, many cases of cerebral palsy are a result of a combination of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors.

Risk factors linked with cerebral palsy include the following:





•Infection, seizure disorder, thyroid disorder, and/or other medical problems in the mother





•Birth defects, especially those affecting the brain, spinal cord, head, face, lungs, or metabolism





•Rh factor incompatibility, a difference in the blood between mother and fetus that can cause brain damage in the fetus (Fortunately, this is almost always detected and treated in women who receive proper prenatal medical care.)





•Certain hereditary and genetic conditions





•Complications during labor and delivery





•Premature birth





•Low birth weight (especially if less than 2 pounds at birth)





•Severe jaundice after birth





•Multiple births (twins, triplets)





•Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) reaching the brain before, during, or after birth





•Brain damage early in life, due to infection (such as meningitis), head injury, lack of oxygen, or bleeding



Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

The signs of cerebral palsy are usually not noticeable in early infancy but become more obvious as the child’s nervous system matures. Early signs include the following:







•Delayed milestones such as controlling head, rolling over, reaching with one hand, sitting without support, crawling, or walking





•Persistence of “infantile” or “primitive” reflexes, which normally disappear 3-6 months after birth





•Developing handedness before age 18 months: This indicates weakness or abnormal muscle tone on one side, which may be an early sign of CP.

Problems and disabilities related to CP range from very mild to very severe. Their severity is related to the severity of the brain damage. They may be very subtle, noticeable only to medical professionals, or may be obvious to the parents and other caregivers.





•Abnormal muscle tone: Muscles may be very stiff (spastic) or unusually relaxed and “floppy.” Limbs may be held in unusual or awkward positions. For example, spastic leg muscles may cause legs to cross in a scissor-like position.





•Abnormal movements: Movements may be unusually jerky or abrupt, or slow and writhing. They may appear uncontrolled or without purpose.





•Skeletal deformities: People who have cerebral palsy on only one side may have shortened limbs on the affected side. If not corrected by surgery or a device, this can lead to tilting of the pelvic bones and scoliosis (curvature of the spine).





•Joint contractures: People with spastic cerebral palsy may develop severe stiffening of the joints because of unequal pressures on the joints exerted by muscles of differing tone or strength.





•Mental retardation: Some, although not all, children with cerebral palsy are affected by mental retardation. Generally, the more severe the retardation, the more severe the disability overall.





•Seizures: About one third of people with cerebral palsy have seizures. Seizures may appear early in life or years after the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. The physical signs of a seizure may be partly masked by the abnormal movements of a person with cerebral palsy.





•Speech problems: Speech is partly controlled by movements of muscles of the tongue, mouth, and throat. Some individuals with cerebral palsy are unable to control these muscles and thus cannot speak normally.





•Swallowing problems: Swallowing is a very complex function that requires precise interaction of many groups of muscles. People with cerebral palsy who are unable to control these muscles will have problems sucking, eating, drinking, and controlling their saliva. They may drool. An even greater risk is aspiration, the inhalation into the lungs of food or fluids from the mouth or nose. This can cause infection or even suffocation.





•Hearing loss: Partial hearing loss is not unusual in people with cerebral palsy. The child may not respond to sounds or may have delayed speech.





•Vision problems: Three quarters of people with cerebral palsy have strabismus, which is the turning in or out of one eye. This is due to weakness of the muscles that control eye movement. These people are often nearsighted. If not corrected, strabismus can lead to more severe vision problems over time.





•Dental problems: People with cerebral palsy tend to have more cavities than usual. This results from both defects in tooth enamel and difficulties brushing the teeth.





•Bowel and/or bladder control problems: These are caused by lack of muscle control.