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Published on: Jun 05, 2006
Last modification: Jun 05, 2006
Cerebral Palsy: Treatment & Care
by SirGan
 Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a specific group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. The fact is that all this is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development, but it can also happen during infancy- during the first few months after birth. This level of disorders ranges from mild to severe. Physical symptoms of cerebral palsy are weakness and floppiness of muscles or spasticity and rigidity, in most cases, but it can also be accompanied with mental retardation or seizures. The worse thing about this condition is that it isn't curable. Depending on what part of the brain is affected, a child might not be able to walk, talk, eat, or play.Symptoms of cerebral palsyBecause a brain is a large organ and almost any part of it can be affected- in general, children may experience a wide variety of signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The most common are:
Types of cerebral palsy There are three major types of cerebral palsy:
Most children with cerebral palsy have spastic cerebral palsy. This form of the condition causes muscles to stiffen, which makes movement difficult. It can affect both legs and the condition is called spastic diplegia. It is important to know that it can also affect one side of the body and then- it is called spastic hemiplegia. In the most severe cases, all four limbs and the trunk are affected-spastic quadriplegia.
It is proven that about 10 to 20 percent of people with cerebral palsy have this form. It is also called an extra-pyramidal cerebral palsy. It affects the entire body and often causes uncontrolled, slow movements. It affects a kid's ability to control the muscles of the body. This means that the arms or legs that are affected by this condition may flutter and move suddenly.
This is the least common of the major types of cerebral palsy and only small percent of people with cerebral palsy develop this type of condition. It primary affects balance and coordination.
That’s why kids with ataxic cerebral palsy look very unsteady and shaky. They also often have very poor balance and may be very unsteady when they walk.
Possible causes of cerebral palsyThe biggest part of human brain is called cerebrum and it has many functions but the most important is definitely control of sensation and voluntary motor function. The fact is that cerebral palsy results from an abnormality in or injury to this part of the brain. It is very important to know although cerebral palsy affects movement, problem isn't in muscles themselves but in the affected part of the brain. In some cases, the cause of the condition is well known and doctor can precisely tell that the cerebral palsy is caused by, for example bacterial meningitis, or by some head injury. However, doctors don't completely understand the cause of most cases of cerebral palsy, which are present at birth. There are several possible theories such as the one that all could be caused by lack of oxygen during birth, problems during labor and delivery…
Experts have now identified many possible causes of congenital cerebral palsy, including:
Diagnosis of cerebral palsyAlthough the signs could be present at birth, the diagnosis could be very difficult during the first six months. The fact is that making a definite diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not always easy, especially before the child's first birthday.
Doctor should first just observe child and to talk with parents about child's physical and behavioral development. He should also check reflexes, muscle tone and movements.
Images created with a CT scanner show the structure of your child's brain, as well as the presence and extent of any damage. It can also show the presence of hydrocephalus, and other bone malformations!
Good thing about this diagnostic tool is that it uses no radiation. Instead, a computer creates tissue-slice images of the brain from data generated by a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. This can give 3D images of a child’s scull and brain!
Some children may need genetic or metabolic tests to help rule out other conditions.
Differential diagnosis of cerebral palsyIt is very important for a doctor to know to make a difference between cerebral palsy and some other conditions that can resemble to this one!
This condition may be a result of spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or a congenital spinal cord malformation. Children with spinal cord dysfunction experience several medical problems such which are similar to the ones in the cerebral palsy but simultaneously - differ markedly.
The fact is that some children with chromosomal anomalies or congenital disorders may appear similar to children with cerebral palsy while others, such as children with Down's syndrome, appear very different from children with cerebral palsy.
All disorders that are primarily of muscle, nerve, and bone should be easily distinguished from cerebral palsy by definition. Such conditions include:
Complications if left untreatedCerebral palsy can lead to several problems, such as:
Treatment of cerebral palsyThere are several treatment options for cerebral palsy but parent should know one thing: given the tremendous uncertainties in outcome, physicians usually choose to treat newborns and preserve life with the hope that the outcome will be a good one.
Some of the most common treatment options are:
It is reasonable that muscle training and exercises may help child's strength, balance and mobility and lead to greater independence.
A speech therapist and logopeds may be able not only to help your child speak better, but also to improve eating skills.
Because the condition can affect vision and hearing capabilities, child may need eyeglasses or surgery to correct a condition such as cross-eye or other inability of the eyes to focus together proper.
Some of the most commonly used medications include simple muscle relaxants to ease muscle stiffness and anticonvulsants to reduce seizures.
The most important indication for surgery is the condition when the child has severe contractures on muscles, tendons, nerves or joints. An operation should help to place their arms and legs in their correct positions. Surgeries require careful screening before the procedure and an expert team of health professionals. Several professionals could be included in evaluation and operation including pediatric neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric physiatrists and physical therapists.
What exactly is Assistive technology? It is a special kind of technology which includes such small things as rails, grab bars, magnifiers, and grips attached to forks and pens. This should make them easier to grasp. It also includes more expensive, high-tech tools, such as customized wheelchairs, voice communication devices, computer software programs, and positioning equipment.
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