Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. The signs of cerebral palsy in babies can vary depending on the severity and type of CP, but some common signs include:
- Delayed motor milestones: Babies with CP may take longer to reach motor milestones such as sitting up, crawling, standing, or walking.
- Abnormal muscle tone: Babies with CP may have muscles that are too tight or too floppy, which can affect their ability to move.
- Unusual postures: Babies with CP may assume unusual postures, such as arching their back or holding their limbs in abnormal positions.
- Involuntary movements: Babies with CP may have uncontrollable movements, such as twitching, jerking, or writhing.
- Poor coordination: Babies with CP may have difficulty coordinating their movements, making it challenging to perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as grasping objects.
- Difficulty feeding: Babies with CP may have difficulty coordinating their sucking and swallowing, which can lead to difficulty feeding and poor weight gain.
- Delayed speech and language development: Babies with CP may have delayed speech and language development or difficulty with articulation.
It is important to note that some of these signs may be present in typically developing infants as well, so a diagnosis of CP should be made by a medical professional after a thorough evaluation.
