Children born preterm is one of the major cerebral palsy causes. Parents of these babies should be conscious that their babies have higher risks of developing cerebral palsy. If your baby was born preterm you need to be conscious of the risks and subject your child to regular physical examinations. You too have to be conscious of delays in physical developments. It is not wise to have the “my baby may be a slow starter” mentality.
Cerebral Palsy Causes
A cerebral palsy diagnosis for your child is one of the most upsetting news you can ever get after delivering your child. The first things that enter your mind are fears of what the future has in store for him and if you will be able to afford to take care of a cerebral palsy child. A child with cerebral palsy has special needs and it can be overwhelming for any parent. Cerebral palsy has natural brain injury cases which can be present before, during or after birth. There are however cerebral palsy causes due to medical mistakes and can thus be prevented:
1. Not being able to decide on a cesarean section on time causing the baby‘s brain to be deprived of oxygen for the long term.
2. Not using vacuum extractors or forceps correctly during child birth thereby causing injury to the child’s brain.
3. Failure to immediately treat meningitis.
4. Failure to immediately treat jaundice.
5. Not being able to immediately discover that the umbilical is prolapsed.
Diagnosing and Dealing With Cerebral Palsy
Often cerebral palsy is not instantly diagnosed after birth. It usually takes a pediatrician three years before he can definitely confirm that a child has the symptoms of cerebral palsy. At age three, a child must have reached most of the physical developments of his body. The doctor then can assess if the developments your child has missed is due to cerebral palsy causes. Although each child’s pace of development varies, when some signs of cerebral palsy become visible, doctors will closely look at the developmental delays and see if they are associated with cerebral palsy.
What to Expect From a Child With Cerebral Palsy
How a child with cerebral palsy acts and interacts with the people around him largely depends on how his parents are coping with his disability. In general, children with cerebral palsy have the capability to be successful, intelligent and loving individuals. Cerebral palsy causes can result to either mild or severe disabilities. Every cerebral palsy child must be given utmost love and care so he can achieve his fullest potential. It takes a lot of patience and dedication for a parent to take care of a cerebral palsy child.
Any parent with a cerebral palsy child aims to help her child achieve his goals and aspirations in whatever way he is able. Raising a cerebral palsy child poses a lot of challenges. Whatever cerebral palsy causes your child may have, the most important thing is showering him with the love and attention he needs to grow up as normally as his condition could allow.
