Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary depending on the part of the brain impacted, the area of the body that part of the brain controls and the size of the injury. The physical signs of cerebral palsy are often evident to parents and health care providers early on in a child's life. However, occasionally symptoms will not manifest themselves until later in a child’s development.
Early signs that may suggest possible brain injury that can lead to cerebral palsy:
- A floppy appearance, indicating lack of muscle tone
- Infant is dusky, or blue in color
- Infant fails to breathe immediately following delivery or requires some type of resuscitation
- Seizures that develop within 48 hours of delivery
Signs of cerebral palsy that may appear over time:
- Failure to reach developmental milestones on time (sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, etc.)
- Inability or difficulty walking; lack of coordination
- "Tight" muscles in arms and/or legs
- "Floppy" muscles
- Abnormal movement of hands and feet
- Difficulties with feeding, speech or swallowing
These are basic guidelines. Only a physician can properly diagnose cerebral palsy. Consult with a physical if you think your child is missing key milestones or showing signs of delayed development.
If you believe your child has cerebral palsy that may have been caused by negligent medical care, one of our cerebral palsy lawyers may be able to help. We have over 30 years of experience representing families like yours in birth injury cases. Our team of registered nurses will discuss your concerns and help get your questions answered.
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