What are the Signs of Cerebral Palsy in a Newborn?

Cerebral Palsy affects muscle movement and coordination and is difficult to notice in an infant. The loss of movement and coordination is in part due to loss of oxygen to parts of the brain. Sometimes Cerebral Palsy goes undetected for several years according to the National Institute of Neurologial Disorders. Here are three quick steps to investigate:

Step 1 - Skin Tone. Pale skin, bluish tinted skin or jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes) have risk of developing cerebral palsy. Also non-sensitive skin, like no reaction to pinches or scratches.

Step 2 - Seizures. Infants who have seizures also have a risk of developing seizures.

Step 3 - Birth Period. Review the birth situation and note if there were any times where oxygen could have been deprived. Maybe the child did not cry for a while or had to have a ventilator for a long time. Or maybe the infant had jaundice

If you notice any of these issues for extended periods of time, it is critical to notify the doctor or nurse for immediate attention.