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Pediatrics provides specialized medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. Learn about routine screenings, vaccinations, and treatments.
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Unusual muscle tone is a key sign of cerebral palsy. These changes in muscle tone cause the physical symptoms seen in people with the condition.
Walking patterns are frequently affected. Children may walk on their toes due to tight calf muscles (equinus gait). Others may exhibit a crouched gait, where the knees are constantly bent due to tight hamstrings. A scissoring gait occurs when the adductor muscles of the inner thigh are tight, causing the legs to pull inward and cross. These gait abnormalities can lead to higher energy expenditure and fatigue.
Cerebral palsy also affects fine motor skills, which use the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Children may have trouble picking up objects, using their thumb and forefinger together, or moving toys from one hand to the other. Babies may keep their hands tightly closed, which is called fisting. These problems can make daily tasks like eating, dressing, and writing harder.
The muscles of the face, mouth, and throat can be affected, leading to a range of oral-motor conditions.
Over time, the imbalance of muscle forces on the growing skeleton leads to secondary musculoskeletal conditions. Spastic muscles do not grow as fast as bone, creating a tension that can pull bones out of alignment.
The brain injury in cerebral palsy can also affect the parts of the brain that handle sensory information.
Strabismus, where the eyes do not look in the same direction, is very common. Cortical visual impairment means the eyes are healthy, but the brain cannot interpret the visual signals. Nystagmus, or involuntary eye movements, can also occur.
Some causes of the disorder, such as severe jaundice (kernicterus) or certain infections, are strongly linked to hearing loss. This can further complicate communication development.
Many individuals have difficulty processing sensory input. They may be oversensitive to touch, sound, or light, or undersensitive and seek out intense sensory experiences.
Cerebral palsy often affects the autonomic nervous system and the muscles that control digestion.
Cognitive and behavioral problems are also common in cerebral palsy, even though they are not movement symptoms.
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The brain sends incorrect signals to the muscles, keeping them in a constant state of contraction. This overactivity prevents the muscles from relaxing, leading to stiffness.
No, drooling is a physical issue related to poor control of the muscles in the mouth and throat. It does not reflect a person’s intelligence or cognitive ability.
With early and consistent physical therapy, bracing, and monitoring, the severity of bone deformities can be significantly reduced, though not always entirely prevented.
No, not all children have seizures. However, epilepsy is a common associated condition, affecting a significant portion of the population due to the brain injury.
Constipation is caused by a combination of limited physical activity, issues with digestive tract muscle tone, and, sometimes, insufficient fluid or fiber intake.
Every year, over 5 million children have surgery in the United States. As a parent, worrying about your child’s pain is normal. Some surgeries can
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