Babies with brain malformations, numerous genetic diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, and other physical birth defects are at increased risk of cerebral palsy. Acquired cerebral palsy. About 10 percent of children with cerebral palsy acquire it after birth due to brain injuries that occur during the first two years of life. Parents may become concerned about their baby's or toddler's development if the child is having problems learning to roll over, sit, crawl or walk. Parents always should discuss these concerns with their baby's pediatrician.
Cerebral palsy is diagnosed mainly by evaluating how a baby or young child moves.
The doctor will evaluate the child's muscle tone. Some children with cerebral palsy have low muscle tone, which can make them appear floppy. The doctor will check the child's reflexes, and look to see if the baby has developed a preference for using his right or left hand. Another important sign of cerebral palsy is the persistence of certain reflexes, called primitive reflexes, that are normal in younger infants, but generally disappear by 6 to 12 months of age. The doctor also will take a careful medical history to rule out other disorders that could be causing the symptoms.