Cerebral Palsy In Toddlers: Signs, Diagnosis, & Treatments – BabyGaga

Cerebral palsy (CP) affects movement and muscle development. In most cases, CP is not diagnosed immediately after birth. Here are the first signs.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder affecting movement and muscle development. This condition occurs due to brain injury and it is responsible for a high number of disability cases among young children. CP occurs when the baby sustains a brain injury during development or at birth. In most cases, CP is not diagnosed immediately after birth. This is mainly because symptoms of cerebral palsy affect the childs movement and coordination. It may take longer for a proper diagnosis to be made especially when the symptoms are mild.

Most parents will notice that there is a problem only when their child fails to reach different developmental milestones. CP affects kids in different ways and parents have the responsibility to take note and learn how to identify developmental milestones. Ensuring that your child reaches the milestones in the expected time frame will help you to know if something is wrong. If you notice that your child is struggling in any area, you need to talk to a doctor immediately to get a proper diagnosis.

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Infection or injury during pregnancy can affect parts of the babys brain that deal with muscle control. The injury can also occur during delivery. Babies born prematurely have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy because the brain may not have developed fully.

CP affects toddlers between the ages of one and three, which is the time when children are going through important growth stages. This is when children are learning how to move different body parts. If everything is going well, this is the stage when they are beginning to walk and talk.

There are some signs that help to identify CP in toddlers. It is important to know that signs appear at different ages for every child. Some symptoms appear soon after birth while others take longer. The signs can be mild or severe depending on the child.

Failure to reach differentbaby developmental milestones is the main sign that health providers look for. However, it is important to note that not all delays in achieving milestones are due to CP. If you suspect that your child may be exhibiting some symptoms, consult a pediatrician.

It is very important to get a complete diagnosis of the condition. Knowing the type of CP that your toddler has is essential to ensure that the child gets the right treatment. Diagnosis involves different tests to get a complete picture. These tests include observation or developmental monitoring, developmental screening, and a medical evaluation.

If the doctor suspects CP, routine appointments will be made to observe the child. It may be necessary to refer the case to a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. Investigating the cause of the childs condition is necessary. If your toddlers condition is due to medical malpractice, you can seek legal redress.

How soon a CP diagnosis can be made will depend on the specific child and the severity of the symptoms. The location of the affected muscles will often determine how soon the symptoms appear.

The fact that there are different types of CP means that symptoms vary from one patient to the next. In many cases, parents or caretakers are able to identify some early signs. A childs case may be made complicated due to the presence of other conditions such as vision problems, cognitive disability, epilepsy, and many more.

It is important to realize that there is no cure for CP. However, there are some treatments and therapies that can help to provide some relief from the symptoms. It also helps to know that CP does not get worse with time. Mild cases of CP can go unnoticed for three or four years. Often, the condition becomes evident when the child attains school-going age.

The type of CP that your toddler has will determine the treatment required. There are medications that can help to improve functional abilities by reducing muscle tightness. Medication can also be used to manage complications and to treat pain. In most cases, people with CP require long term care.

There are different types of therapy that can help in treating children with cerebral palsy. They include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy. Speech and language therapy is also available. You can learn how to take care of your toddlers basic needs at home. Muscle training and exercises will help to improve the toddler's balance, flexibility, strength mobility, and motor development. In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to correct bone abnormalities and reduce muscle tightness.

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Sources: mayoclinic.org, mycerebralpalsychild.org, cerebralpalsyguide.com, webmd.com, cerebralpalsygroup.com.

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Cerebral Palsy In Toddlers: Signs, Diagnosis, & Treatments - BabyGaga