Cerebral Palsy
Symptoms,Types and Prognosis
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Cerebral palsy or (C.P.) is an umbrella statement that encompasses all brain injuries to children 1 year and under. A child can have other diagnoses such as extreme prematurity or seizure disorder and a C.P. diagnoses also. C.P. often involves movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking that occur due to problems with brain development. C.P.is caused by an injury to the largest part of the brain (cerebrum). Depending on where and how severe the damage is determines the affects it will have on the child. Common areas that are damaged is the nerve functions for motor and speech control. Many children with this condition have increased muscle tone which is called hypertonia or fluctuating tone called(spasticity). Affected areas may include: - One arm or leg
- One side of the body (spastic hemiplegia)
- Both legs (spastic diplegia)
- Both arms and legs (spastic quadriplegia)
Symptoms are usually noticed around the age of 1 year but normally have been there from time of injury. In severe cases,they may be noticed from birth. Symptoms may include: - Jerky or stiff movements with limited range of motion
- Pain
- Partial or full loss of movement (paralysis)
- Not aware of sensations to affected body parts or hypersensitive to affected areas.
- Tight muscles, floppy muscles or fluctuating muscle tone
- Decreased intelligence or learning disabilities
- Difficulty sucking or feeding
- Problems swallowing (at all ages) problems
- Increased drooling
- Speech problems (dysarthria)
- Hearing and vision
- Seizures
- Irregular breathing rhythms or weak lung function
- Digestive problems with possible vomiting or constipation
- Urinary incontinence
- Dental problems
Types of Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic C.P. is the most common type
- Dyskinetic (athetoid) cerebral palsy involves abnormal movements (twisting, jerking, or other movements)
- Ataxic C.P. involves tremors, unsteady gait, loss of coordination, and abnormal movements
- Hypotonic C.P. involves floppy muscles, especially at rest, and increased range of motion in the joints
- Mixed C.P. involves any combination of symptoms
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Long-Term Prognosis
C.P. is a lifelong disorder and long-term care may be required.Complications through out life: - Bone thinning
- Bowel obstruction
- Hip dislocation and arthritis in the hip joint
- Injuries from falls
- Joint contractures
- Pneumonia caused by choking or weak lung function
- Poor nutrition
- Reduced communication skills (sometimes)
- Reduced intellect (sometimes)
- Scoliosis
- Seizures (in about half of patients)
The earlier that your child receives therapy the better the outcome. So don't wait and don't let your doctor tell you to wait and see. Insist on a referral for a therapy evaluation. Call your health care provider if symptoms of C.P. develops, especially if you know that an injury occurred during birth or early infancy.
Cerebral Palsy Treatments
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