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Can you get Cerebral Palsy at any age?
No matter the cause, CP occurs early in life. Symptoms often show up in the first years of a child’s life. There is no condition known as late-onset CP. You can’t develop this condition as an adult.
What age does Cerebral Palsy appear?
The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the first few months of life, but many children are not diagnosed until age 2 or later. In general, early signs of cerebral palsy include1,2: Developmental delays. The child is slow to reach milestones such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking.
How do I know if my child has Cerebral Palsy?
Possible signs in a child include:
- delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months.
- seeming too stiff or too floppy (hypotonia)
- weak arms or legs.
- fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements.
- random, uncontrolled movements.
- muscle spasms.
- shaking hands (tremors)
How does Cerebral Palsy begin?
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. This usually happens before a child is born, but it can occur at birth or in early infancy. In many cases, the cause isn’t known. Many factors can lead to problems with brain development.
Can cerebral palsy go unnoticed?
The signs of a mild case of cerebral palsy often go unnoticed until the child reaches 3 to 5 years of age. Sometimes, it is not evident until the child enters school age. Moderate to severe cases are usually diagnosed around the age of two.
Can you just randomly get cerebral palsy?
The specific cause of CP in most children is unknown. CP is typically diagnosed during the first or second year after birth. If a child’s symptoms are mild, it is sometimes difficult to make a diagnosis until the child is a few years older.
Can you tell if a baby has cerebral palsy before birth?
Can Cerebral Palsy Be Detected Before Birth? Cerebral palsy cannot be detected before birth. However, if a fetus is in a high-risk category for developing cerebral palsy, performing an ultrasound can detect an abnormality. This allows doctors and parents to start therapy early to help with development.
Can you have cerebral palsy and not know it?
Does my 18 month old have cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is typically diagnosed in babies and toddlers between 18 and 24 months of age (1), although signs and symptoms may be present much earlier.
What is the main cause of cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during pregnancy or birth or within the first 2 to 3 years of a child’s life. It can be caused by: Problems from being born too early (premature birth). Not getting enough blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth.