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WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY?

 

Cerebral palsy is the term used to describe conditions in which children have abnormal movement or posture because the brain has failed to develop properly, or has been damaged in pregnancy, at birth or after birth.

 

 As an affected child grows, the condition does not deteriorate, but the nature of the physical difficulties may change

 

What  are  the  causes?

 

For years, cerebral palsy was associated with difficult births. It is now known that in about 80 per cent of babies with cerebral palsy, the damage to brain tissue occurs in the first three months of pregnancy. Causes include:

 

INFECTION: rubella (German measles) in particular can lead to cerebral palsy if a mother contracts the condition in the first three months of pregnancy.

 

PREMATURE  DELIVERY: the immature brain can be damaged by severe jaundice or bleeding in the brain.

 

A TRAUMATIC DELIVERY: a baby can be deprived of oxygen during a difficult birth, which can cause cerebral palsy.

 

ILLNESS: later in childhood, cerebral palsy can result from another condition, such as meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue).

 

BRAIN  DAMAGE: cerebral palsy can also develop if the brain is damaged following a head injury.

 

GENETIC  DISORDER: very rarely, cerebral palsy is due to a genetic disorder.

 

Types of celebral Palsy

 

There are three different types of cerebral palsy, each one producing symptoms of varying severity. Sometimes a child may have two or more types, which makes a specific diagnosis difficult.

 

1. Spastic: about eight in 10 affected children have spastic(meaning stiff) cerebral palsy. This mainly affects the muscles that bend the arms and legs. As a result, these children are unable to straighten their limbs properly.

Sometimes only one side of the body is affected, but in about one in 10 children, all four limbs are in spasm - this is known as quadripatetic cerebral palsy. The arms seem abnormally bent, the legs are often crossed over and there is a distinctive facial appearance.

 

2.  Ataxic hypotonic: this type of cerebral palsy results in problems with balance and causes general unsteadiness.

 

3.  Athetoid: children with athetoid cerebral palsy are prone to involuntary body movements and may suddenly grimace or make writhing movements. These children may also have slurred speech and have difficulty hearing, although their intellect may not be affected

 

Despite some children with cerebral palsy being unable to straighten their limbs, many can lead a full and active life.

Signs and symptoms

People with cerebral palsy usually have a unique collection of symptoms.

 

• In a newborn baby, the only sign of cerebral palsy may be floppiness due to lack of muscle tone. Other, more obvious, symptoms will appear as a child begins to grow and develop. 
• There may be a delay in reaching developmental milestones. A child with cerebral palsy may not be able to sit up, walk or talk when expected. Some children have obvious learning difficulties. 
• Once an affected child is mobile, movements are often awkward and abnormal and limbs can become stiff and contracted.

Effects on intelligence

 

Many children with cerebral palsy have perfectly normal intelligence and are able to integrate into mainstream education with no trouble at all. However, about six out of 10 children do have a degree of learning difficulty

 

• As they grow, it becomes apparent that they are not reaching milestones and are failing to communicate properly with their parents and with other children. 
• For these children, education is particularly important so that, in years to come, they are able to be as independent as possible. 
• Special schools are available for children who have very severe learning difficulties. These schools offer one to one coaching and appropriate therapy provided by a multi­disciplinary team of experts who will assess the individual needs of each child.

Therapy and treatment

Care for a child with cerebral palsy, focuses mainly on improving mobility by keeping thep1uscles supple. It is important, too, that support is provided both for those with the condition and their carers.

 

Physiotherapy: depending on how badly affected the limbs are in terms of spasticity (stiffness), regular physiotherapy can help to loosen Lip stiff joints and improve walking. Parents can be taught simple exercises that can then be carried out on a regular basis. Swimming in particular is extremely therapeutic.

 

Drug:  medication may be prescribed to affected children".' some drugs are effective in relieving symptoms. For example, antispasmodic drugs, such as diazepam and baclofen, sometimes help to relieve uncomfortable limb contractures. Some children with cerebral palsy have epilepsy, which medication can also help to control

 

Specialist help: your CP will be able, to put you in touch with other medical services and organizations that are able to offer support. A doctor or health visitor will be able to offer advice about problems that may be encountered with sleeping or constipation, but for more specific problems you'll be put in touch with a specialist.

 

Complication;

 

Other difficulties may arise because damaged brain cells are involved.

 

Behavioural difficulties: children with cerebral palsy sometimes feel frustrated and miserable, especially if they are unable to join in with certain activities. These frustrations can sometimes manifest themselves as outbursts of anger, withdrawal and even depression.

 

Hearing and vision impairment: some children may have a squint, be short­sighted or have varying degrees of deafness.

 

Language and speech difficulties: these often arise if a child has learning difficulties and, as a result, delays in developing communication skills. Hearing impairment can also contribute to speech problems.

 

Epilepsy: this is quite common and about four out of 10 children with cerebral palsy will experience epileptic fits.

 

Some children with cerebral palsy may benefit from specialist education, but many have average or above average intelligence.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.