Are you trying to understand the symptoms of neurological problems in newborns?
In this article, we will discuss how to recognize if a newborn has neurological problems, how to understand if something is wrong with the newborn, and what the most common neurological problems are.
We will also discuss the most common neonatal conditions and when a neurological examination should be performed.
How do you recognize if a newborn has neurological problems?
The nervous system of a newborn is extremely delicate and can be subject to various problems, some treatable, while others, unfortunately,are not reversible.
If there is a neurological problem, you will most likely notice it because there are some signals that can indicate its presence:
- Delays in motor development, such as difficulty moving limbs or reaching for objects
- Abnormal behaviors such as muscle spasms, tremors, or seizures
- Problems with coordination and balance
- Difficulty sucking, swallowing, or breathing
- Irritability, excessive or inconsolable crying
- Abnormalities in muscle tone, such as hypotonia (lack of muscle tone) or hypertonia (muscle rigidity)
How to tell if something is wrong with the newborn?
It may not be easy to understand if something “subtle” is not going right.
This is because the newborn has few abilities and tends to sleep all the time except when eating (this is a simplification, but not that extreme, at least for the first few months).
It’s important to pay attention to the following signs that may indicate the presence of neurological problems in the newborns (in addition to those mentioned in the previous paragraph):
- Unusual behaviors, such as staring into space or not responding to stimuli
- Signs of fatigue or excessive sleepiness
- Changes in skin tone, such as paleness or cyanosis (blue coloration of the skin)
If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your pediatrician for a thorough evaluation or, in cases where more urgency is needed, go to the emergency room.
What are the neurological problems in newborns?
Neurological problems can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system (nerves).
There are therefore many problems that could arise, as the nervous system is extremely complex and pervasive. Some of these problems may include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Neonatal epilepsy
- Hydrocephalus
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Central nervous system infections
Remember that most children will not experience these problems, but it’s good to be prepared and know that there is a possibility that not everything is in order.
This will allow you to intervene in the best way to ensure the maximum level of well-being for the child and for yourself.
What are the most common neonatal conditions?
In addition to those we have listed, there are other pathological conditions that affect the neurology of newborns, and the most common are Down syndrome and Rett syndrome, which is a rare neurological developmental disorder.
The latter primarily affects girls and causes severe or very severe cognitive deficits.
Then there are autism spectrum disorders which, depending on the level of functionality, may or may not allow the child to live a normal life, and some cognitive and communication disorders.
When does the nervous system develop in the newborn?
The development of the nervous system begins during fetal life and continues during the first years of life.
During pregnancy, the fetal nervous system develops rapidly and can be influenced by various factors, including the uterine environment, the intake of harmful substances, and genetic predisposition.
After birth, the newborn’s brain continues to mature and develop through processes such as myelination of nerve fibers and the formation of new neuronal connections.
At this stage, the quality of sleep, especially REM sleep, is extremely important, which must occur in contexts and quantities that facilitate normal neurological development.
Neurological problems in newborns: when should a neurological examination be performed?
If you suspect that your newborn may have neurological problems, it’s important to consult your pediatrician as soon as possible.
For newborns, unable to communicate verbally, parents must rely on careful observation to identify such signals.
Usually, the diagnosis of neurological conditions in newborns is based more on clinical signs than on signals.
Some signs and symptoms that should prompt you to take the newborn to the doctor will now be described.
- Muscle tone problems are a prominent sign of infantile cerebral palsy and refer to the ability of muscles to maintain correct tension.
- Reflex problems can manifest as excessive reflexive responses or primary reflexes that do not disappear or do not develop correctly.
- Balance problems are noticed when the child learns to sit, stand up, and walk, and may include instability and difficulty maintaining balance without help.
- Gross motor function problems are signs of impaired or delayed motor skills, such as walking, running, and jumping.
- Fine motor problems instead indicate difficulties in precise movements, such as grasping objects or gestures that require greater coordination.
- Oro-motor function problems are represented by difficulties in using the lips, tongue, and jaw, affecting language abilities, swallowing, feeding, and saliva control.
- The symptoms of infantile cerebral palsy, which represent the child’s subjective experience, may include apnea, difficulty concentrating and listening, pain, and gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, reflux, and vomiting.
- Clinical signs of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy include the need for resuscitation at birth, low APGAR scores, absence of crying after birth, early seizures, difficulty feeding, hypotonia, hypotension, and multi-organ problems.
- Signs of meningitis or encephalitis include inactivity, apnea, breathing difficulties, abnormal temperature, irritability, difficulty feeding, altered skin color, low blood pressure, and seizures.
- Symptoms of kernicterus manifest with poor feeding, excessive jaundice, hypotonia, lethargy in the early stages, evolving into acute screams, seizures, and muscle rigidity in the more advanced stages.
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We at Parentalife understand how difficult it can be to face parenthood and pregnancy: we work with tens of thousands of parents and we know well all the most common problems that we parents must face even before becoming mom and dad.
To support you on this journey, we offer guides and courses, our book “Learn to Say No,” and personalized consultations.
Remember, you will never be alone on this journey: we are with you.
SOURCES
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2. Rent S, Bidegain M, Bost MH, Hornik C, Lemmon ME. Neuropalliative Care for Neonates. J Child Neurol. 2021 Oct;36(12):1120-1127. doi: 10.1177/08830738211045238. Epub 2021 Oct 22. PMID: 34677110; PMCID: PMC9624297.
3. Gerrity C, Farley S, Barks MC, Ubel PA, Brandon D, Pollak KI, Lemmon ME. Decision Making for Infants With Neurologic Conditions. J Child Neurol. 2022 Mar;37(3):202-209. doi: 10.1177/08830738211056779. Epub 2022 Feb 8. PMID: 35133902; PMCID: PMC9038601.