Does your little one have delayed developmental milestones such as poor head control, difficulty crawling and walking? Is your child not talking yet? Have you heard of the all-natural alternative, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
Studies have shown:
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that occurs in infants or in early childhood and affects body movements, balance, posture, and muscle coordination. It is the result of damage to one or more parts of the brain that controls movements. Most often, the disorder is present at birth but the signs may not be detected until 3 years.
Cerebral palsy may be caused due to one or more factors which include fetal brain damage during pregnancy, birth injuries during delivery, brain damage in the early years of life, infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, head injury following an accident or fall, seizures, and child abuse.
The early signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include delayed developmental milestones (such as head control, rolling-over, sitting, crawling and walking), stiff or unusually relaxed muscles, slow and uncontrolled body movements, or delayed speech. With some cases, seizures may occur in the early years, drooling, and difficulty swallowing may be seen. Infantile reflexes such as sucking reflex and startle reflex, which usually disappears within 3-6 months, may persist for a longer time.
The diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made based on a thorough history and physicial exam. Some of the tests your doctor may order include:
Conservative management of cerebral palsy includes:
Prenatal care with regular checkups and avoiding smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, and certain medications during pregnancy may help prevent cerebral palsy.
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