What are signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy in babies?

How can I tell if my child has cerebral palsy?

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can be severe or mild depending on each individual child. Cerebral palsy is a motor disorder, meaning it affects a child’s ability to move normally. 

Common signs of cerebral palsy in newborn babies include: 

• muscle stiffness
• limp body
• difficulty feeding
• Seizures

Sometimes, the signs of cerebral palsy can be noticed right away. Other times, a diagnosis is made after a child has missed developmental milestones, around the age of 4 or 5.

Signs of cerebral palsy in infants younger than six months

• When the baby is picked up while lying on their back, they cannot hold their head up.
• While being held, the baby arches their back and neck as though they are pulling away.
• The baby feels stiff (hypertonic) or floppy (hypotonic).
• When the baby is picked up, their legs get stiff or cross like scissors.
• The baby has “cortical thumbs” – the thumb is always tucked into the palm.

Signs of cerebral palsy in babies older than six months

Babies over six months may show more signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy:

• The baby doesn’t roll over in either direction.
• The baby develops right or left “handedness” earlier than normal (e.g. they reach out with one hand only while keeping the other one in a fist).
• The baby struggles to bring their hands together.
• The baby struggles to lift their hands to their mouth.

Signs of cerebral palsy in babies older than ten months

As babies continue to grow and develop, they may show more obvious signs of cerebral palsy:

• Lopsided crawling (the baby pushes off with one hand and leg while dragging the opposite hand and leg).
• Inability to crawl on all fours (the baby may instead scoot around on their buttocks or hop on their knees).
• Inability to stand on their own, even when holding onto support.

Was my child’s cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice? 

Medical errors during pregnancy care or birth can cause cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a motor disorder caused by damage to the baby’s brain.

If medical professionals make a mistake during prenatal care or  labor and delivery, and a baby does not get enough oxygen, the baby can develop a birth injury. Birth injuries can lead to lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy. 

A baby is at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy if they had: 

• Not enough oxygen at birth (called HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) 
• traumatic birth
• brain bleed
• delayed emergency c-section
• Seizures after birth
• Low APGAR scores

If HIE is suspected, doctors should give the baby therapeutic hypothermia (also called “cooling therapy”) as soon as possible. Current guidelines state that this treatment must be done within six hours of birth. Research shows that therapeutic hypothermia can slow the spread of a brain injury and reduce damage. If doctors intervene in time, permanent disabilities like cerebral palsy can be prevented, or at least make the symptoms milder. 

If you have questions about your child’s development, speak with your child’s pediatrician and other medical specialists as soon as possible. If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was because of a medical error, you should contact an experienced birth injury attorney.

Should I contact an attorney when I see the signs or symptoms of cerebral palsy? 

Yes. If you think your child’s cerebral palsy could be from medical malpractice at birth, an attorney can help. A cerebral palsy lawyer or a birth injury lawyer can determine what happened at the hospital and if medical malpractice was involved.

It can be intimidating to contact a law firm or think about suing a hospital. Calling a lawyer doesn’t mean you have to file a lawsuit. Attorneys can answer questions and present your options during a free consultation with no obligation for you to work with them. 

Cerebral palsy attorneys at ABC Law Centers offer free consultations. Our compassionate team is willing to listen to your story and answer any of your questions. They can also walk you through what the legal process looks like, step by step.

Filing a lawsuit is a personal decision, but contacting an attorney can help you understand what mistakes were made during your labor and delivery. A lawyer will explain how a lawsuit can provide you with financial help to care for your child’s special needs. You can ask questions to decide what is the best route for your family.

We are available 24/7 to speak with you, whenever you’re ready.

Importance of Early Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

Early diagnosis of cerebral palsy helps kids live their best lives. Many studies show the benefits of physical therapy and other helpful exercises for children with cerebral palsy. Starting interventions early can improve balance, mobility, and overall health for kids with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy has no cure, but there are many therapies and treatments to improve quality of life. The sooner a child can access these, the better off they will be. 

Learn more about treatments and therapies for cerebral palsy 

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed? 

Cerebral palsy can be diagnosed by observing the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy or with specific testing. Multiple signs and testing can establish a diagnosis. Sometimes, signs and symptoms of CP won’t be clear until the child develops. 

Cerebral palsy may include:

• Motor delays: delays in movement milestones, like crawling and walking
• Neurological signs: excessive irritability or excessive docility (baby is overly compliant)
• Abnormal postural reactions: the baby arches their back when held or holds uncomfortable postures
• Persistence of primitive reflexes: early reflexes in a baby that normally go away as the child ages
• MRI results: imaging results are often abnormal in children with cerebral palsy

Read more about cerebral palsy diagnosis

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy change as the baby grows older. Continuous observation and regular doctor’s appointments can help determine if a child developed cerebral palsy. All children should have a detailed history taken by their doctor, as well as a thorough physical exam.  

If a child experienced a traumatic birth or had HIE, brain imaging should be done to examine possible damage. Brain imaging like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can reveal a brain injury consistent with cerebral palsy. Doctors perform head imaging at regular intervals after that to see how the brain injury progresses.

How can cerebral palsy lawyers help? 

A cerebral palsy lawsuit can benefit your family in the long term. Your child may need expensive therapies, treatments, or equipment to live a good life. With a lawsuit, a successful verdict or settlement can help ensure that your child’s care is covered for life. Although there is no amount of money that can change what happened, a lawsuit can help ensure peace of mind for families.

A cerebral palsy lawsuit can give your child has access to: 

• Medical care and testing
• Treatments and therapies for cerebral palsy
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Adaptive equipment
• Assistive technology
• Home modifications

ABC Law Centers: Your trusted cerebral palsy lawyers

At ABC Law Centers, we only handle cases involving birth injuries. Our staff is deeply familiar with birth injuries and resulting conditions like cerebral palsy. We have extensive experience advocating for families like yours and taking into account the lifelong needs of your child. We consult with a network of medical professionals and life planning experts to help your child have the best future possible.

ABC Law Centers was established in 1997 by Jesse Reiter. He felt a strong empathy for babies and families harmed by medical negligence, and has gathered a passionate team of attorneys and supporting staff to advocate for families like yours. 

Video: Cerebral Palsy Overview

Sources

1. The Academica Medical Center Patient Safety Organization (AMC PSO) Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force. (2016). Therapeutic Hypothermia in Neonates: Recommendations of the Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force[Pamphlet].
2. Screening and Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. (2022, May 02). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/cerebral-palsy/testing/ 
3. What are the early signs of cerebral palsy? (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cerebral-palsy/conditioninfo/signs
4. Sarnat, H. B., & Sarnat, M. S. (1976). Neonatal encephalopathy following fetal distress: a clinical and electroencephalographic study. Archives of neurology, 33(10), 696-705.
5. Gonzalez N A, Sanivarapu R R, Osman U, et al. (August 21, 2023) Physical Therapy Interventions in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review. Cureus 15(8): e43846. doi:10.7759/cureus.43846 https://www.cureus.com/articles/166039-physical-therapy-interventions-in-children-with-cerebral-palsy-a-systematic-review