Infant brain damage can have various causes and symptoms, including physical deformities, seizures, developmental delays, and unusual temperaments. Other indicators include jaundice, difficulty breathing, and low body temperature. Diagnosis requires medical expertise, and early identification can lead to treatment that can minimize damage.
While the term “infant brain damage” can describe a wide variety of medical conditions, each with their own symptoms, there are a few telltale signs that damage has been done to a newborn’s brain. Physical deformities, seizures, unusual temperaments, and developmental delays are all possible signs of brain damage in a child. Jaundice, difficulty breathing, and low body temperature can also be indicators. Confirmation of any diagnosis requires the expertise of a doctor.
Infant brain damage can occur during pregnancy or after the baby is born. Causes include physical injury, disease, and infection, as well as a genetic predisposition. Brain damage can present as a range of conditions, varying in severity and having varying impact on a child’s life and development.
One of the first signs of brain damage is the baby’s physical appearance. Physical deformities aren’t always present, but features such as a misshapen spine, unusually large forehead, or facial distortion could indicate brain damage. Children who are exceptionally young or with disproportionately small heads may also have suffered brain damage.
In the first few minutes after birth, a newborn’s health is typically assessed using an Apgar test. Among other things, this test evaluates the child’s breathing, complexion, heart rate and breathing. It’s designed to determine if your child requires medical attention, but some of the factors tested indicate potential brain damage, and a low Apgar score would warrant further monitoring.
Other risk factors can be determined at or shortly after birth. Difficulty focusing vision can be an indicator, as can a low or fluctuating body temperature. Newborns suffering from brain damage may not be able to sleep lying down. A baby who has difficulty feeding may have been injured, and frequent, inconsolable crying may also suggest injury. Parents should remember, however, that feeding difficulties and fussiness are common and these factors alone or together should not cause undue concern.
As the child grows older, other signs of childhood brain damage typically become apparent. Every baby develops at a different pace, but if a baby is exceptionally slow to learn to crawl, walk and talk, brain damage is a possibility. Slow physical growth and development could also indicate a problem.
Only a doctor can confirm a diagnosis of brain damage. In cases where these signs are observed, the doctor will typically send the child for one of several tests, depending on the symptoms observed and the condition suspected. In some, early identification can lead to treatment that can minimize the damage and help improve the child’s development, but in most cases, childhood brain damage is irreversible and medical care can only help manage the condition.
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