Is Your Child Showing Warning Signs of Cerebral Palsy?
Parents look forward to major milestones for their babies: the first smile, first word, first step. Sadly, some parents don’t have the pleasure of celebrating these achievements, and many of them don’t know why. If your child is not developing appropriately for their age range, they are often considered to have developmental delays. And one of the biggest causes of developmental delays is cerebral palsy.
Warning Signs of Cerebral Palsy
Every child develops at his or her own rate, but large delays and missed milestones are signals that something may not be quite right. There are baselines against which your child’s pediatrician measures their growth. If your child exhibits any of the following warning signs, consult your pediatrician and ask questions about cerebral palsy and other potential developmental delays.
If your child is 0 to 3 months, warning signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Poor reflexes
- Weak muscle control
- Stiffness or floppiness
- Not reacting to sounds or lights
- Difficulty moving his or her eyes
- Not smiling
If your child is 3 to 6 months, warning signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Poor communication
- Inadequate muscle development
- Not laughing
- Not babbling
- Not rolling over
- Not sitting
- Not reaching for objects
If your child is 6 months to 1 year old, warning signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Lacking fine motor skills
- Difficulty with gross motor skills
- Inability to grasp objects
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty self-feeding
- Poor coordination
- Favoring one side of the body
- Unfamiliarity with everything
If your child is 1 year old to 2 years old, warning signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Delayed social or emotional development
- Inability to or disinterest in socializing with others
- Not playing
- Underdeveloped vocabulary
- Not taking first steps by around the 1-year mark
- Muscle spasms
- Stiff or jerky movements
Understanding Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that is caused by brain damage. The damage can occur during birth, particularly if the infant is deprived of oxygen or because of medical malpractice. Failure of a medical professional to notice health problems in an expectant mother or baby because of poor or inadequate prenatal care can lead to infections and problems during delivery, also putting the child at risk for cerebral palsy and other birth injuries.
Because brain damage occurs before, during, or immediately after childbirth, most children who have cerebral palsy are diagnosed by 18 months old. While the symptoms of the condition do not get worse over time, some children may not be diagnosed until they are toddlers or preschoolers when they have developed further and greater delays have become visible.
If your child has received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and you suspect that this birth injury occurred because of medical negligence, it is essential to consult with a Michigan birth injury lawyer to learn more about the statute of limitations and whether it’s too late for you to file a lawsuit to get compensation for your struggles, medical bills, and the irreparable damage done to your child. Contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation with one of our experienced, knowledgeable, and successful birth injury attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today.
