| Cerebral palsy is not a disease it is a | | | | Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the ability |
| condition. Cerebral refers to the brain and | | | | to control muscles, leading to involuntary |
| palsy means weakness or lack of muscle | | | | and uncontrolled movements in the affected |
| control. In addition, cerebral palsy is not a | | | | muscles |
| single problem, but a complex disease in | | | | |
| which virtually all brain cell types could | | | | Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common |
| need repair. Approximately 90 percent of all | | | | type of cerebral palsy. Approximately 60 |
| cases are caused by brain injury during the | | | | percent of all individuals with cerebral |
| prenatal period (before labor begins). This | | | | palsy have spasticity that is characterized |
| condition is caused by damage to brain cells | | | | by tense, contracted muscles. Doctors will |
| that control the movement of muscles. A | | | | often describe which type of spastic cerebral |
| person with cerebral palsy can have mild to | | | | palsy a patient has, based on which limbs are |
| severe physical disabilities. There are | | | | affected. |
| varying degrees of therapies depending on the | | | | |
| degree of condition. However, just because a | | | | Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the sense of |
| person has cerebral palsy, it does not mean | | | | balance and depth perception. Children who |
| they will have other disabilities. | | | | suffer from ataxic cerebral palsy can be |
| | | | described as being very shaky and unsteady. |
| Causes and Risks | | | | |
| | | | Symptoms |
| Recent studies suggest that cerebral palsy is | | | | |
| mostly due to factors affecting the brain | | | | Children with cerebral palsy may develop |
| before birth. In about 70 percent of cases, | | | | eating difficulties, bladder and bowel |
| cerebral palsy results from events occurring | | | | control problems, breathing problems, and |
| before birth that can disrupt normal | | | | learning disabilities. Children with cerebral |
| development of the brain. This condition is | | | | palsy have limited use of their arms due to |
| caused by an injury to the brain during | | | | the dysfunction of their neural motor control |
| pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth. | | | | and stiffness of their joints. Dysarthria is |
| The symptoms are usually not noticeable at | | | | common in people with cerebral palsy, due to |
| birth. It was previously assumed that it was | | | | problems involving the muscles that control |
| caused by fetal distress, such as a lack of | | | | speech and mastication. Although Cerebral |
| oxygen, during the birth process. However, | | | | Palsy is a permanent condition, as a person |
| lack of oxygen at birth has not been shown to | | | | learns and grows and practices skills, more |
| be the major cause. The motor deficits of | | | | control over movement may be achieved. |
| babies are usually unrecognizable before 4-6 | | | | |
| months of age. | | | | Treatment |
| | | | |
| A preemie's risk of cerebral palsy is much | | | | Treatment of cerebral palsy requires a team |
| higher than that of a full-term baby. In | | | | of specialists to help maximize and |
| addition, exposure to herpes group B viruses | | | | coordinate movement, minimize discomfort and |
| was associated with a two-fold increase in | | | | pain, and prevent long-term complications. |
| risk. Reproductive/urinary tract infections | | | | Because the symptoms of cerebral palsy can |
| also may increase the risk in a preterm | | | | cause behavioral and emotional problems, many |
| delivery. Preemie's are already at risk for | | | | children benefit from counseling or behavior |
| cerebral palsy and account for approximately | | | | therapy. It is also not "curable" in the |
| one-third of the cases. Adequate prenatal | | | | accepted sense, although education, therapy, |
| care may reduce the risk of the unborn baby. | | | | and applied technology can help persons with |
| | | | cerebral palsy lead productive lives. |
| Viral infections, lead poisoning, or head | | | | |
| injuries that occur early in life can result | | | | The goal of drug therapy is to reduce the |
| in acquired cerebral palsy, a less common | | | | effects and prevent complications. Physical, |
| condition. Spastic cerebral palsy, the most | | | | speech, and occupational therapy along with |
| common type, is a condition in which there is | | | | counseling today are employed to help people |
| too much muscle tone. However, cerebral palsy | | | | lead healthy, productive lives. Most children |
| is NOT a progressive condition, meaning that | | | | with cerebral palsy benefit from early and |
| it does not worsen over time. Cerebral palsy | | | | regular physical and occupational therapy. In |
| generally is a long-lasting (chronic) | | | | addition, education, therapy, and applied |
| condition. | | | | technology can help persons with cerebral |
| | | | palsy lead productive lives. |
| There are roughly 8,000 infants born with | | | | |
| this condition each year and some 1,200-1,500 | | | | Conclusion |
| preschool age children acquire cerebral palsy | | | | |
| annually. Most children are diagnosed by age | | | | With early and ongoing treatment, the |
| 5. Despite significant improvements in | | | | disabilities associated with cerebral palsy |
| obstetric and neonatal care in recent years, | | | | can be reduced. People living with cerebral |
| the incidence of cerebral palsy has not | | | | palsy are usually able to live independently |
| decreased. | | | | in the community, with or without assistance. |
| | | | With support and treatment, though, many |
| Types | | | | people with cerebral palsy can live healthy, |
| | | | happy lives. |