Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy/Delayed Milestones

The symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP) may vary depending on the type and extent of disability. One of the early signs that a child might have CP is that they're not meeting normal movement or motor milestones in infancy or early childhood, including rolling over, sitting, standing, or walking. The following are some other signs that might indicate CP. It is essential to understand that some children who do not have CP may show one or more of these signs.

Age-Specific Signs and Symptoms of CP

In an infant under 6 months old:

• Their head drops back when lifted from a lying position.
• They exhibit stiffness.
• They appear loose or floppy.
• When you pick them up, they arch their back and neck as though they’re trying to push away from you.
• When you pick them up, the legs will stiffen, and they might crossing /scissoring.

For a baby older than 6 months:

• They do not roll over in either direction.
• They are unable to bring their hands together.
• They struggle to bring their hands to their mouth.
• They reach out with just one hand while keeping the other clenched.

For a child over 1 year old: 

• Not taking their first steps by approximately one year old.
• Having jerky or stiff movement or muscle spasms.
• Being with no purified language.
• Not being involved in social activities. Having difficulty with self-feeding or swallowing.
• Inability to grasp objects.

For a child over 18 months:

• Frequent falls and other balance issues.
• Keeping a fist closed or not reaching for objects.
• Having difficulty in learning to walk, for example walking on the toes or not walking at all.

For a child over the age of 2:

• Unable to stand or walk independently.
• Cannot understand even basic commands.
• Fails to follow simple directions.
• Not starting to engage in play with peers.
• Unable to locate concealed objects.
• Cannot categorize shapes and colors.
• Cannot identify items in a book (like dog, cat, house, etc.).
• Does not recognize body parts and familiar names.
• Cannot construct multiple sentences.

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Early evaluation can help identify signs of cerebral palsy and ensure timely therapy for better development outcomes.

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Other Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

It may be very dissimilar for one individual to another depending on the scope of the disorder. Nevertheless, some of the more encountered signs of cerebral palsy include:

• Muscle spasticity: This is the most common symptom of cerebral palsy, characterized by muscles that are stiff, inflexible and restricting movement. This may lead to bots, spikes, and thus, normal activities might be mostly interfered.
• Involuntary movements: Patients with cerebral palsy can also suffer from uncontrolled, sporadic movements such as tremor, twisting, and shaking. These acts can occur frequently and spontaneously.
• Impaired coordination: Individuals with cerebral palsy might find it challenging to coordinate voluntary movements, such as walking or buttoning a shirt. They could also struggle with tasks requiring fine motor skills, like writing or using scissors.
• Balance and posture challenges: Those with cerebral palsy may face difficulties in maintaining posture and balance, which can result in frequent falls. They might also have issues with sitting, standing, or walking.
• Communication challenges: People experiencing cerebral palsy may have difficulty with speech and language. They might find it hard to articulate words, and their speech could be slurred or difficult to comprehend.
• Swallowing difficulties: Individuals with cerebral palsy may encounter problems with swallowing, referred to as dysphagia. This can result in choking, coughing, or drooling during meals.
• Intellectual disabilities can vary in severity from mild to profound and impact an individual's capacity for thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
• Vision, hearing and dental problems: Individuals with cerebral palsy may experience issues related to vision, hearing, and dental health. They might struggle with seeing, hearing, or communicating effectively and face challenges with oral care due to difficulties in brushing and flossing their teeth.
• Seizures: These are a frequent occurrence in those with cerebral palsy, with variations in severity from mild to severe. These episodes can lead to loss of awareness, convulsions, and behavioral changes. Although the severity of symptoms associated with cerebral palsy differs among individuals, everyone affected will encounter some level of physical, mental, and cognitive impairment.

Know more about: The Role of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy