Cerebral Palsy Information

At this point, medical specialist still does not have any specific guidelines with regards to the real cause of cerebral palsy. Prematurely-born babies as well as unborn child who has already damage to the brain are most susceptible from acquiring such disease.

There are also cases where children who need breathing aid for more than a week are also at high risk of getting cerebral palsy. However, the problems usually develop before childbirth and physicians are still uncertain of how such problem develops and what its causes are as well.

Keep in mind that you can not immediately notice if your child has cerebral palsy. In most cases, the signs and symptoms are only coming out if your child is now around 1 and half years old and trying to crawl or sit. Normally, a pediatric neurologist is the medical specialist who diagnoses a child if he/she has cerebral palsy. They can give accurate medical advices about the type of cerebral palsy that your child has as well as how to look after him/her.

Even if your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it is not a hindrance for him/her to attend school and live normally just like other children. Obviously, there are some activities which your child can not participate. In this case, the understanding of school staff and other students is needed. They must give you child the time to speak with other children around as well as to get around the school.

Your child knows what he wants to say and it only takes some time to finish his sentences completely-- just enough time from people around him/her to express their care.

You may also consult an orthopedist in order to lessen some of the problems brought by cerebral palsy. He/she will be able to tell you the necessary physical workouts as well as other forms of treatment that will be needed in freeing your child from the effects of cerebral palsy even partially.

However, keep in mind that taking care of your child with cerebral palsy will lead you to huge financial cost when it comes to treatment, special equipment that he/she may be used, education, and their everyday cost of living.

Although it can give you that financial burden, it is nothing compared to the happiness that your child will feel because he/she knows that you care even their condition is like that. That is what the importance of caring for your child with cerebral palsy—making them feel that they are still important members of the family as well as the society where they belong.

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Cerebral Palsy Prevention

Measures of Cerebral Palsy prevention are increasingly possible today. Pregnant women are tested routinely for the Rh factor and, if Rh negative, they can be immunized within 72 hours after the birth (or after the pregnancy terminates) and thereby prevent adverse consequences of blood incompatibility in a subsequent pregnancy. If the woman has not been immunized, the consequences of blood incompatibility in the newborn can be prevented by exchange transfusion in the baby.

If a newborn baby has jaundice, this can be treated with phytotherapy (light therapy) in the hospital nursery. Immunization against measles for all women who have not had measles and are susceptible to becoming pregnant is an essential preventive measure.

Other preventive programs are directed towards the prevention of prematurity; reducing exposure of pregnant women to virus and other infections; recognition and treatment of bacterial infection of the maternal reproductive and urinary tracts; avoiding unnecessary exposure to X-rays, drugs and medications; and the control of diabetes, anemia and nutritional deficiencies.

Of great importance are optimal well being prior to conception, adequate prenatal care, and protecting infants from accidents or injury.

The best prescription for having a healthy baby is to have regular prenatal care and good nutrition, and to avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse. Other forms of prevention include:

Prevent head injuries by using child safety seats in automobiles and helmets when riding bicycles, skateboards, etc. Supervise young children closely during bathing and swimming. Prevent child abuse. Keep poisons out of reach.

Treat jaundice in newborns with phototherapy. Exposing jaundiced babies to special blue lights that break down bile pigments and prevent them from building up and causing brain damage. In rare cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Identify potential Rh incompatibility in expectant mothers. Incompatible Rh factor usually is not problematic with first pregnancies, as the mother's body typically produces the unwanted antibodies only after delivery. A special serum given after each delivery can prevent the production of antibodies.

If antibodies develop during a first pregnancy, or if antibody production is not prevented, the developing baby is monitored closely. If necessary, a transfusion may be given to the infant in the womb or an exchange transfusion may be given after birth, removing and replacing a large volume of the infant's blood.

Be vaccinated against German measles (rubella) before becoming pregnant.

To prevent CP, prospective parents should follow these guidelines:

* Get regular prenatal care.

* Expectant mothers and, in some cases, expectant fathers should get a simple blood test to determine their Rh factor. An incompatibility between mother and child usually does not cause problems with the first pregnancy. And an immunization given to the mother after delivery of an Rh positive child can prevent problems for future pregnancies.

* Women should be immunized against rubella (German measles) before getting pregnant.

* Women who are expecting or who plan to become pregnant should try to avoid toxoplasmosis by not eating undercooked pork or lamb and by keeping away from cat litter boxes.

* Parents should follow safety precautions such as using child safety seats in vehicles to prevent head injury and having children wear safety equipment, such as helmets, for bike riding or other activities.

* Parents should seek treatment right away for a baby who is jaundiced. If phototherapy isn't effective, as in some severe cases, a special form of blood transfusion can correct the jaundiced condition.

The cause of cerebral palsy (CP) sometimes is not known. However, links have been identified between CP and certain conditions during pregnancy, birth, and early childhood. Some of these can be prevented; some cannot.

You can help prevent CP before and during your pregnancy by adopting and maintaining healthy habits.

* Eat nutritious foods.
* Do not smoke.
* Avoid exposure to harmful substances.
* See your health professional regularly.

Also, help prevent CP in your young child by minimizing your child's risk for sustaining a brain injury.

* Take measures to prevent accidents.
* Make sure you are familiar with the signs of jaundice in newborns.
* Know how to prevent lead poisoning.
* Keep your child away from people who have serious contagious illnesses, such as meningitis.
* Make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. For more information, see the topic Immunizations.

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Definition of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement. The disorders appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time.

Description of Cerebral Palsy

These disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves outside the brain. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.

Cerebral palsy is classified into four broad categories - spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed forms - according to the type of movement disturbance.

1. Spastic cerebral palsy affects 70 to 80 percent of patients. In this form, the muscles are stiffly and permanently contracted. Doctors will often describe which type of spastic cerebral palsy a patient has based on which limbs are affected.

2. Athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the form characterized by uncontrolled, slow, and writhing movements. These abnormal movements usually affect the hands, feet, arms, or legs and, in some cases, the muscles of the face and tongue, causing grimacing or drooling.

3. Ataxic cerebral palsy is a rare form that affects balance and coordination. Affected persons may walk unsteadily with a wide-based gait, placing their feet unusually far apart. It also can produce intention tremor.

4. Mixed forms of cerebral palsy exist in that it is common for patients to have more than one form of cerebral palsy. The most common combination includes spasticity and athetoid movements but other combinations are possible.

Cerebral palsy is not contagious, nor is it usually inherited from one generation to the next. At this time it cannot be cured, although there is research directed towards improving treatments and methods of prevention.

Causes and Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is caused by injuries, infections or other trauma to the brain when an infant is in utero, or at the time of birth.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms of cerebral palsy lie along a spectrum of varying severity. An individual with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as writing or cutting with scissors; experience trouble with maintaining balance and walking; or be affected by involuntary movements such as uncontrollable writhing motion of the hands or drooling.

The symptoms differ from one person to the next, and may even change over time in the individual. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment.

Contrary to common belief, however, cerebral palsy does not always cause profound handicap. While a child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care, a child with mild cerebral palsy might be only slightly awkward and require no special assistance.

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

Although cerebral palsy cannot be cured, treatment can often improve a child's capabilities. In fact, progress due to medical research now means that many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological symptoms are properly managed.

There is no standard therapy that works for all patients. Some approaches that can be included in a treatment plan are drugs to control seizures and muscle spasms, special braces to compensate for muscle imbalance, surgery, mechanical aids to help overcome impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, and physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy.

In general, the earlier treatment begins, the better chance a child has of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish difficult tasks.

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