WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY? Cerebral Palsy is a non progressive neuromuscular disorder causing mild to severe disabilities throughout the life of the sufferer. The condition is manifested as a group of persisting qualitative motor disorders which often appear in young children because of damage to the brain during birth delivery or due to some pathological conditions in the intrauterine life of the developing fetus.
The neurological problems are multiple in number but non progressive in nature. This problem occurs in approximately 2 per 100 live births. This disease does not appear to have a hereditary tendency and as such does not pass to future family members. Some causes of cerebral palsy are, injury to the brain during delivery from some of the following.
A complication of forceps delivery, lack of oxygen supply to the baby during delivery or infections during delivery. It may also be a compilation of the above causes. Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy.
The signs and symptoms may not be similar in all affected babies. Depending upon the damage to the brain there may be mild to severe lesions. In mild cases 20% of effected children will suffer mild disability. In the case of moderate causes 50% of cases have moderate disability.
The affected children require self help for assisting their impaired ambulation capacity. In about 30% of severe cases the affected children are totally incapacitated and bedridden and they require full time care from others. This is perhaps the most distressing condition of Cerebral Palsy and places immense strain on families of an effected child. In such conditions the true bond of a family is often exposed.
In cerebral palsy, abnormal findings are such things as, abnormal neonatal reflexes, stiffness of all muscles with awkward motion, extension of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant, scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh.
In severe cases the back of the effected child will bend backwards like and arch, the child may have total or partial paralysis or arrest of neurological and behavioral development.
Swallowing may be difficult in some cases and drooling of saliva is often the end result. There is often mild to severe mental retardations. Abnormal movements are seen in some cases, these may show as tremors with typical movements. In some children convulsions may be seen.
If the cerebellum is affected there will be loss of muscle tone with difficulty in walking. Complete or partial loss of hearing, speech may be affected, squint and other visual problems may be associated. Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical examination and by eliminating other similar diseases like brain tumor, progressive atrophy etc. All investigations like CT scan, MRI and routine investigations are needed to rule out other diseases.
Some methods used in the management of cerebral palsy:-- General management includes proper nutrition and personal care. Symptomatic medicines are needed to reduce convulsions and muscle stiffness. Diazepam can reduce spasticity and athetosis. The use of Dantrolene sodium helps to relax skeletal muscles.
Physiotherapy, here massage, exercise, hydrotherapy and physical assistance are needed. Special training is given to the effected child to train them in walking, swallowing and talking. The affected children are also trained to hold articles for routine activities. Rehabilitation, moral and social support should be given to these children. They should be sent to special schools where special training can be given by trained staff.
Mentally retarded children need specialized training. Depending up on the disability, special instruments and machines are given for locomotion and to assist their day today activities. Occupational therapy, this is given by occupational therapists. They train the disabled people to do some suitable works so that these people can have their own income.
Cerebral Palsy is not a disease, it's a result of conditions present during the birth of a child and through no fault of their own suffer an injury that will effect them for their life. Not only do they require support but those in their families also need support for what to some will be a traumatic change in their lives.
Thomas has been writing articles on many subjects for almost 3 years. Not only does the author specialize in many subjects including health and diet, you can also check out his latest website on controlling dogs using martingale dog collars which reviews their use and sizing.
