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Mild cerebral palsy is a neurological condition caused by minor brain damage, resulting in poor motor skills and clumsiness. It can be caused by injury, disease, or lack of oxygen during fetal development or early childhood. Diagnosis is usually made after the child starts walking, and treatment plans are developed with the child’s parents. Symptoms include tiptoe walking, clenched fists, and unnatural movements. Early therapy can help reduce symptoms, and a positive environment is important for coping with the disorder.
Mild cerebral palsy is a neurological condition caused by minor damage to the brain. The damage is usually the result of a brain injury, disease, or lack of oxygen at a very early age or even during fetal development. The term “cerebral palsy” means a movement disorder related to the brain, or brain. The mild form of the disorder is much less pronounced than other forms of cerebral palsy and causes clumsiness and poor motor skills. It is not a progressive disease, nor is it contagious.
The cause of mild cerebral palsy could be a fetal infection or trauma during delivery in which oxygen to the brain may have been briefly cut off. In some cases, the cause may also be a serious infection during the first year of life or severe jaundice. There are some cases, however, where the cause cannot be determined.
The diagnosis of mild cerebral palsy usually isn’t made until the child with the disorder starts walking and sometimes not for several years afterward. A toddler or school-age child’s excessive clumsiness, poor coordination, and strange or unnatural movements are usually the first to alert parents that something is wrong. Even mild cerebral palsy can cause impaired speech and cognition.
A definitive diagnosis is usually made after a series of tests on the brain, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, and ultrasounds. Lab tests are usually done to make sure some other condition isn’t presenting like mild cerebral palsy. After the diagnosis is made, the doctor will work with the child’s parents to develop a treatment plan.
One of the most common symptoms of the disorder is “tiptoe walking”. The child often goes on tiptoe and needs to be reminded to walk with their feet flat on the floor. Toe walking can be prominent, so sufferers of the disorder often develop problems with their ankle joints. Some children complain of leg pain after short periods of activity.
It is also common to see a person with mild cerebral palsy unknowingly clenching their fist. Holding the arms straight in the air or bending them excessively can also occur. Early physical and occupational therapy can help reduce these symptoms.
Every person with mild cerebral palsy is different. The symptoms could be more or less serious or practically imperceptible. Mild cerebral palsy isn’t debilitating, but school-age children sometimes suffer from embarrassment or low self-esteem because they are less coordinated than their peers. Patience and a positive, loving environment will help the child and family cope with the disorder.
