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Overview
According to the Neurology Channel, cerebral palsy affects a person's ability to control movement and posture as a result of damage in various areas of the brain. It is a serious condition that affects nearly 1 million people in the United States. Read on to find out more about the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
As cerebral palsy progresses, symptoms of this disorder can change. It can also differ from person to person. People who have cerebral palsy may experience problems with their fine motor skills, such as losing the ability to write or walk, and even more severe complications such as seizures, mental retardation and involuntary movements like drooling.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
According to the Neurology Channel, cerebral palsy is either acquired, caused by congenital defects, infections during pregnancy, untreated jaundice, head trauma or brain hemorrhages. Babies can get cerebral palsy after birth as a result of brain infections or head trauma, or develop it due to infections during pregnancy that can damage the baby's neurological system. When the baby's brain bleeds during pregnancy or after birth, it can also cause cerebral palsy.
Risks of Cerebral Palsy
Babies born before 37 weeks during pregnancy and those who weigh less than 5.5 pounds at birth are at risk for developing cerebral palsy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Triplets, quadruplets and other multiple births are also at risk for developing the condition because the risk increases with each baby that shares the uterus. Mothers who have breeched births, or babies born feet-first, and who have health issues such as mercury poisoning, seizures or mental retardation are also at greater risk for having babies who develop cerebral palsy.
Effects
Symptoms of cerebral palsy are just the first signs of complications that can occur. According to the Neurology Channel, about half of all people who have cerebral palsy have seizures, and children may have retarded sexual development or be shorter than many kids their age. Vision and hearing problems, scoliosis, tooth decay, asthma and skin sores may also result.
Testing for Cerebral Palsy
If someone exhibits signs of cerebral palsy, he or she should be tested immediately. Testing for cerebral palsy can include brain scans on the baby, such as cranial ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Lab tests such as blood tests for genetic issues, and tests for epilepsy can also help determine if a child has cerebral palsy.
