Cerebral Palsy

CELEBRAL PALSY OVERVIEW

Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of childhood disability affecting function and development. Cerebral Palsy is considered a neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development. Cerebral Palsy primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. Though Cerebral Palsy can be defined, having Cerebral Palsy does not define the person that has the condition.

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.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.

TYPES WITH SYMPTOMS

There are four types of cerebral palsy:

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy

It causes increased muscle tone, known as spasticity, and other symptoms:

• Delayed developmental milestones for moving
• Abnormal movements
• Movement inhibition
• Stiff and spastic muscles
• Difficulties controlling muscle movement
• Problems moving from one position to another
• Spastic quadriplegia impacts a child’s upper and lower limbs and body, severely restricting mobility.

Spastic diplegia only affects the lower half of the body. Many of these children can still walk with some impairments and may need assistive devices such as walkers.

Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body only, usually the arm more than the leg. Most children with hemiplegia can walk.

2. Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most common type of CP. Symptoms include:

• Dystonia, repetitive and twisting motions
• Athetosis, writhing movements
• Chorea, unpredictable movements
• Poor posture
• Painful movements
• Difficulty swallowing or talking

3. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common. It causes poor balance, limited coordination, tremors, and shaky movements that are difficult to control.

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Mixed cerebral palsy causes symptoms characteristic of two or three other types. Spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the most common type of mixed CP.

• Severity and Motor Function
• Cerebral palsy is also classified by severity. A diagnosing doctor may assign a child as having mild, moderate, or severe CP based on how well they can function independently.
• They also assign a classification for motor function based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). This includes levels I through V.

CAUSES

1. An individual with Cerebral Palsy will likely show signs of physical impairment. However, the type of movement dysfunction, the location and number of limbs involved, as well as the extent of impairment, will vary from one individual to another. It can affect arms, legs, and even the face; it can affect one limb, several, or all.
2. Cerebral Palsy affects muscles and a person’s ability to control them. Muscles can contract too much, too little, or all at the same time. Limbs can be stiff and forced into painful, awkward positions. Fluctuating muscle contractions can make limbs tremble, shake, or writhe.
3. Balance, posture, and coordination can also be affected by Cerebral Palsy. Tasks such as walking, sitting, or tying shoes may be difficult for some, while others might have difficulty grasping objects.
4. Other complications, such as intellectual impairment, seizures, and vision or hearing impairment also commonly accompany Cerebral Palsy.

SYMPTOMS

1. Movement and walking disabilities
2. Speech difficulties
3. Learning disabilities
4. Cognitive impairments
5. Hearing or vision loss
6. Epilepsy
7. Emotional and behavioral challenges
8. Spinal deformities
9. Joint problems
10. Asymmetrical crawling or failure to crawl
11. Growth disturbance, especially failure to thrive
12. Underdevelopment or absence of postural or protective reflexes
13. Increased reflexes: Indicating the presence of an upper motor neuron lesion; this condition may also present as the persistence of primitive reflexes

FACTORS

1. Poor brain development in the womb
2. Maternal infections or medical conditions
3. Disruption of blood flow to the developing brain
4. Genetic conditions
5. Ingestion of toxins or drugs during pregnancy
6. Damage to the head or skull during delivery
7. Complications related to premature delivery

STATISTICS

Cerebral palsy affects over 500,000 people in the U.S. 

Spastic cerebral palsy accounts for 75 percent of all cases.