Cerebral Palsy is the result of a brain injury or a brain malformation. Individuals with Cerebral Palsy were most likely born with the condition, although some acquire it later.
It was once thought that Cerebral Palsy was caused by complications during the birthing process. While this does happen, it is now widely agreed that birthing complications account for only a small percentage, an estimated 10 percent, of Cerebral Palsy cases.
Current research suggests the majority of Cerebral Palsy cases result from abnormal brain development or brain injury prior to birth or during labor and delivery. Accidents, abuse, medical malpractice, negligence, infections, and injury are some known risk factors that may lead to Cerebral Palsy.
The three types of CP are:
- Spastic cerebral palsy — causes stiffness and movement difficulties
- Athetoid cerebral palsy — leads to involuntary and uncontrolled movements
- Ataxic cerebral palsy — causes a problem with balance and depth perception
Since cerebral palsy affects muscle control and coordination, even simple movements — like standing still — are difficult. Other functions that also involve motor skills and muscles — such as breathing, bladder and bowel control, eating, and talking — also may be affected when a child has CP.
Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
The exact causes of CP aren't always known. But many cases are the result of problems during pregnancy when a fetus' brain is either damaged or doesn't develop normally. This can be due to infections, maternal health problems, a genetic disorder, or something else that interferes with normal brain development. Rarely, problems during labor and delivery can cause CP.
Some other Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Bacterial and viral infections
Bleeding in the brain (hemorrhaging)
A lack of oxygen to the brain before, during or after birth (asphyxia)
Prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, mercury poisoning from fish and toxoplasmosis from raw/undercooked meat
Head injuries sustained during birth or in the first few years of infancy
Some other Risk Factors For Developing Cerebral Palsy
- Abnormal deliveries, such as a breech birth (feet first)
- Maternal diabetes or high blood pressure
- Poor maternal health
Premature babies — particularly those who weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1,510 grams) — have a higher chance of having CP than babies that are carried to term. So do other low-birthweight babies and multiple births, such as twins and triplets.
Brain damage in infancy or early childhood also can lead to CP. For example, a baby or toddler might suffer damage because of lead poisoning, bacterial meningitis, poor blood flow to the brain, being shaken as an infant (shaken baby syndrome), or being in a car accident.
Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy
CP may be diagnosed very early in an infant known to be at risk for developing the condition because of premature birth or other health problems. Doctors, including developmental pediatricians and neurological specialists, usually watch kids closely after birth so that they can identify and address any developmental delays or problems with muscle function that might suggest CP.
In a baby carried to term with no other obvious risk factors for CP, it may be difficult to diagnose the disorder in the first year of life. Often doctors aren't able to diagnose CP until they see a delay in normal developmental milestones (such as not reaching for toys by 4 months or not sitting up by 7 months), which can be a sign of CP.
Muscle tone that is too tight or too loose, poorly coordinated movements, and the presence of infant reflexes beyond the age at which they are expected to disappear also can be signs.
How Cerebral Palsy Affects Development
Kids with CP have varying degrees of physical disability. Some have only mild impairment, while others are severely affected. This depends on the extent of the damage to the brain. For example, brain damage can be very limited, affecting only the part of the brain that controls walking, or it can be much more extensive, affecting muscle control of the entire body.
The brain damage that causes CP also can affect other brain functions and lead to additional medical issues, such as:
- visual impairment or blindness
- hearing loss
- food aspiration (the sucking of food or fluid into the lungs)
- gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up)
- speech problems
- drooling
- tooth decay
- sleep disorders
- osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones)
- behavior problems
Seizures, speech and communication problems, and intellectual disabilities are more common among kids with CP. Many have problems that can require ongoing therapy and devices such as braces or wheelchairs.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
Currently, there's no cure for cerebral palsy. But a variety of resources and therapies can provide help and improve the quality of life for kids with CP.
Different kinds of therapy can help them achieve their maximum potential in growth and development. As soon as CP is diagnosed, a child can begin therapy for movement, and other areas that need help, such as learning, speech, hearing, and social and emotional development.
In addition, medicine, surgery, or braces can help improve muscle function. Orthopedic surgery can help repair dislocated hips andscoliosis (curvature of the spine), which are common problems associated with CP. For severe muscle pain or stiffness, kids can take medication by mouth or given through a pump (the baclofen pump) implanted under the skin.
Kids can improve their bone health by eating diets high in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. These nutrients help keep bones strong. Doctors, nutritionists, and even speech-language therapists can work with families to make sure kids are getting enough of the right nutrients and suggest changes to their diets or mealtime routines, if needed.
A variety of medical specialists might be needed to treat different medical conditions. Even if several medical specialists are needed, it's still important to have a primary care doctor or a CP specialist. This doctor will take care of your child's routine health care and also help you coordinate your child's care.
In Ghana you can get in touch with an Organization called Special Mothers project if you know someone who has this disease and needs support or help with advice on how to manage with the disease.
credit:http://kidshealth.org
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