Treatment And Facts About Cerebral Palsy

Facts About Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.

The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person's lifetime.
All people with CP have problems with movement and posture. Many also have related conditions such as intellectual disability; seizures; problems with vision, hearing, or speech; changes in the spine (such as scoliosis); or joint problems (such as contractures).
Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy
The signs of CP vary greatly because there are many different types and levels of disability. The main sign that a child might have CP is a delay reaching motor or movement milestones (such as rolling over, sitting, standing, or walking). Following are some other signs of possible CP. It is important to note that some children without CP also might have some of these signs.
In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age
His head lags when you pick him up while he’s lying on his back
He feels stiff
He feels floppy
When held cradled in your arms, he seems to overextend his back and neck, constantly acting as if he is pushing away from you
When you pick him up, his legs get stiff and they cross or scissor


In a Baby Older Than 6 Months of Age
She doesn’t roll over in either direction
She cannot bring her hands together
She has difficulty bringing her hands to her mouth

She reaches out with only one hand while keeping the other fisted

Treatment For Cerebral Palsy
Traditional Chinese Medicine can achieve Cerebral Palsy patients as following:
1. Achieve the function of promoting blood circulation/metabolic and dilating blood vessels, which can help regulate blood pressure.
2. With the Improvement of blood circulation, the patients can have better appetite
3. Due to the function of micronized Chinese Medicine, the muscle strength can have larger improvement than before.

4. With the improvement of muscle strength, the Cerebral Palsy patients can practice walk, sit, speak so as to improve the movement function.

What is Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an abnormality of motor function (as opposed to mental function ) and postural tone that is acqired at an early age, even before birth .Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy usually show in the first year of life . Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition without any cure .

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms in Adults

Cerebral palsy is the result of damaged neurological development in the motor areas of the brain. This weakens the body’s ability to control movement, but does not directly affect intelligence. Some people with cerebral palsy are mentally retarded or have learning disabilities and some do not. The condition isn’t contagious or inherited, and the symptoms can differ slightly from person to person. While it usually affects the ability to move voluntarily, you may also suffer symptoms of involuntary movement of the hands or arms. Some people will suffer from a severe form while others will have very mild symptoms.

Spastic Muscles

According to Neurology Channel the symptoms of cerebral palsy can be simple, such as having difficulty with fine motor tasks like writing or using a scissors. Or the symptoms can be more severe, resulting in an inability to walk or maintain balance. These symptoms are the result of the same spastic muscle control but are on a continuum of the very mild to the very severe. The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy , which refers to the hallmark symptom of spasticity in the muscles. Spasticity refers to increased muscle tone that can cause the muscles to have a permanent stiffness and will lead to contractures of the arms and legs as a person grows through adulthood. The person will have difficulty controlling the muscles that are affected by the spasticity, and the muscles will appear to be "stiff" if the joint is moved passively. This stiffness in the muscles can result in an inability to walk, stand, write or eat.

Movement Disorder

Another symptom of a different form of cerebral palsy is athetoid movements. These are movements or motions of the arms, legs, neck or face that are involuntary. According to the Neurology Channel, if you have athetoid movements your legs, arms or neck will have slow, writhing movements that are not controllable. The muscles of the face and tongue can also be affected. This causes grimacing and drooling as well as trouble eating and swallowing. You may require assistance with eating to prevent starvation.

Perceptual Problems

The third major symptom of cerebral palsy affects perceptual abilities and is called ataxic cerebral palsy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, ataxia is the most rare symptom of cerebral palsy that affects balance and depth perception. You will have poor coordination and walk unsteadily with a wide-based gait. The ataxia also makes intentional movements such as buttoning a shirt extremely difficult and can induce an intense tremor with voluntary movement, such as reaching for an object.

Post-Impairment Syndrome


Post-impairment syndrome is a combination of symptoms that affect adults with cerebral palsy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this combination includes fatigue, pain, arthritis and weakness that is often a part of daily life. This symptom is due to the muscle abnormalities and bony changes that happen as you age with cerebral palsy. You can use three to five times more energy each day than an able-bodied person just to complete your daily living activities. This extra expenditure of energy combined with the spasticity and extra wear on the joints is a hallmark symptom of adults who suffer from cerebral palsy.

Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic?

Cerebral palsy is an abnormality of muscle and nerve function resulting from an injury of the brain. It can be mild, minimally affecting coordination of one hand. It can be moderate, allowing walking with limitations. And cerebral palsy can be severe, affecting the ability to speak clearly and to move the arms and legs, leaving a person dependent on a wheelchair. Associated developmental disabilities, such as low intelligence quotient, seizures, unusual movements and psychological problems, may occur as a result of the brain damage. Cerebral palsy is present at birth or shortly thereafter, which may lead people to question whether it is inherited as a genetic trait. However, it is caused by damage to a baby's brain during the mother's pregnancy or during childbirth.

Causes

Brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy can be caused by a variety of injuries. Any interference with normal growth and development of brain cells and structure -- such as serious infections, extreme nutritional deficits or unexplained fetal complications -- can be the root of cerebral palsy. Brain damage resulting from a brief lack of oxygen to a portion of the baby's brain during intrauterine development or during labor and delivery may cause cerebral palsy. Pressure directly on the brain tissue can cause bleeding in critical regions of the brain or altered growth, inhibiting normal functional development. Conditions that cause bleeding or blood clots can result in a stroke or heart attack of the fetus, resulting in brain damage that manifests as cerebral palsy.

Risk Factors

Mothers who suffer from physical trauma or disease during pregnancy may be at increased risk of harm to the baby, including the baby's brain. Labor and delivery that involves extreme blood loss, dangerous changes in blood pressure, severe fevers or seizures can result in high risk to the baby's brain. Severe health problems or metabolic disorders in the mother, blood incompatibility reactions, exposure to toxins or drugs of abuse, very low birth weight and prematurity can increase the chances of cerebral palsy as well.

Prevention

Maintaining a healthy pregnancy and good prenatal care are the best ways to minimize the risk of cerebral palsy. Mothers who have epilepsy, for example, are advised to maintain proper seizure control during pregnancy to avoid seizures, which may decrease optimal oxygen supply to the fetus. The most significant way to lower the risk of cerebral palsy is to carefully monitor the mother's health during labor and delivery and to effectively manage any complications. Avoiding recreational drugs during pregnancy, especially cocaine, is an important way to control the risk of cerebral palsy. Many cases of cerebral palsy are unexplained, however, and might not have been preventable by the mother or health-care providers.

Family Incidence


According to the May 2007 journal "Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology," there is a slightly increased incidence of cerebral palsy occurring among siblings -- about 1.6 percent when compared to the general population. There is no clear genetic explanation for this. It is very likely that the risk factors that may have caused cerebral palsy in one child could be repeated in subsequent pregnancies, causing this minimal increase in cerebral palsy incidence among siblings.

Diet for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can appear in either infancy or early childhood. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include lack of muscle coordination and spastic reflexes. Adequate nutrition is sometimes difficult for individuals with cerebral palsy so diet supplements or tube-feedings may be needed to meet nutritional needs.

Nutritional Risk Factors

Cerebral palsy can result in altered growth, failure to thrive and delayed or altered oral motor skill development that can result in aspiration. People with cerebral palsy may also have difficulty feeding themselves due to lack of motor skills. Common nutritional problems in cerebral palsy are inadequate intake of energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins. In addition to working with a dietitian and physician, it is often beneficial for children with cerebral palsy to work with a speech therapist to develop oral motor skill development.

General Diet Guidelines

People with cerebral palsy need to consume a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of calories and protein. The diet should include a variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and lean proteins. This will provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, which can help prevent common nutrient deficiencies. In order to achieve an adequate amount of calories, a meal replacement drink may be used.

Ketogenic Diet

Seizures are common in children with cerebral palsy because of brain injury. The ketogenic diet is often used to help reduce seizures in children and is a popular treatment. The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet. Fat is burned in order to compensate for low glucose due to the low intake of carbohydrate. As a result, ketones, a byproduct of metabolism, build up in the blood and prevent the seizures. The ketogenic diet provides 3 to 4 grams of fat for every 1 gram of carbohydrate. Calcium, vitamin D, iron and folic acid are often supplement to prevent nutrient deficiencies. This diet is more effective in children than in adults.


Depending on the severity of cerebral palsy, oral nutrition may be needed. In some cases, tube-feedings are needed to meet nutritional needs. One option for long-term nutrition is using a PEG, which is gastric tube that is surgically put in place. Several healthcare professionals are involved in treating cerebral palsy and include a physician, registered dietitian, speech therapist and a physical therapist. These healthcare professionals, along with others, can develop a treatment plan based on individual needs.

Foods for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Today’s final edition on special needs diets is focused on cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy may have a harder time getting sufficient nutrients due to the physical difficulties of chewing and swallowing.
Ensuring a proper diet is extremely important. First, we will cover brain physiology and the most common physical symptoms associated with cerebral palsy. Food choices can help or worsen some physical symptoms and knowing which ones should be a steady part of the diet and which ones to avoid can have a tremendous impact.

Cerebral palsy refers to several neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and affect muscle coordination and movement.
According to Harvard Medical School, it is caused by brain abnormalities that disrupt the ability to control movement and posture. Cerebral palsy manifests as brain lesions that occur before the age of 3.
These brain lesions are a result of damage before, during or after birth and the symptoms can range from mild, where no special assistance is required, to severe and requiring lifelong care. It is the leading cause of childhood disability that affects bodily function and development.
Specific brain lesions may affect the ability to move the face, mouth and head, creating difficulties with chewing and eating. Because chewing can be affected, the main goal in a diet is to provide high quality foods that are easy to eat or drink.
Proper nourishment is the main concern for children with cerebral palsy. According to the MyChild organization, up to 35 percent of children with cerebral palsy are malnourished. This slow down growth and make gaining weight difficult.
Healthy, high calorie foods are especially important since it can be difficult for many children to physically eat enough to meet their nutrition requirements. Constipation and acid reflux are the most common physical symptoms. This is due to poor muscle tone that affects the ability to push stool through the colon and of the lower esophageal sphincter, which causes the stomach’s contents to wash back up into the esophagus causing acid reflux.
Make every bite count. Limit processed foods with low nutritional value as much as possible and focus on calorie dense, nutritious foods and high quality fats.
Consider adding calorie rich smoothies to the daily diet containing high calorie fruits (bananas, dates, mangos, avocados) and green leafy vegetables along with powdered greens for extra vitamins.
Healthy fats such as nut butters, coconut milk, and coconut oil will also instantly increase nutrition and calorie count and can be added to smoothies or used as a spread on bread.
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collards can be added to smoothies and also shredded and added to almost any food: meatballs, pasta, casseroles and sauces. Leafy greens will add extra vitamins and minerals as well as fiber and bulk which can help with constipation.
Make pre- and pro-biotics a regular part of the diet to help build healthy bacteria in the gut and help relieve constipation. Some great choices include cultured dairy products (kefir, yogurt), sauerkraut, kimchi, bananas, honey and whole grains.
Because constipation and acid reflux are due to poor muscle tone, trigger foods can be difficult to identify. Avoiding foods that can add to constipation and acid reflux is the best option since these symptoms will likely not be completely eliminated.
Low fiber foods tend to cause the most trouble with constipation, such as highly processed snack and junk foods, fried food, too much red meat, ice cream and cheese. These foods are also low in nutritional value and should be replaced with healthy alternatives that provide important fiber, vitamins and minerals.
To reduce the likelihood of acid reflux, avoid citrus fruits, spicy foods, garlic, onions, fatty cuts of meat and carbonated beverages.
Experiment with different combinations until you find some options that work for your lifestyle and tastes. Adding vegetables to foods that are easy to eat will ease the preoccupation of not getting enough nutrition.
Sometimes, making just one small tweak can change the entire flavor profile and turn a tolerable food into a delicious one. Remember to start slow, and over time increase the amount of veggies in smoothies and foods. Making slow changes can help change the palate to tolerate a greater amount of healthy food as well as give the digestive system time to adjust to a new diet.
Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mama. Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living.

Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother. Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living.

Semlarass and Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy usually have issues with muscle spasticity, which basically means that the child cannot effectively control their muscle movements. Those with CP often suffer from “jerky” motions or a severe lack of muscle tone which can affect simple activities such as grasping things, walking or turning.
An Indian doctor in conjunction with his colleagues developed a novel surgical treatment to help alleviate the symptoms and complications of spastic cerebral palsy. In 2000, Dr. Deepak Sheran came up with a system known as SEMLARASS, and acronym for Single Event Multilevel Lever Arm Restoration and Anti Spasticity Surgery.
This is a non-invasive type of surgery ideally carried out for children who are between the ages of 4 to 8.
Here’s an overview of what the surgery entails:
All the needed surgeries are usually done under a single hospital admission under one anesthetic. It also requires one rehabilitation period.
All regions and deformities are corrected simultaneously in view of interdependence of joints.
The direction and pull of muscles is corrected by hip subluxation, femoral anterversion as well as other muscle groups with the aim of restoring the function of the lever arm.
The surgeon carries out myofascial surgery in order to reduce muscle spasticity.
This type of surgery basically gives the growing child’s muscles and bones an opportunity to grow in, which effectively improves movement as well as other vital functions such as organ function, fine motor skill development, behavior, speech and a proper gait.
SEMLARASS may be especially beneficial for children who suffer from the following conditions:
Spastic diplegia
Spastic hemiplegia

Spastic quadriplegia

How To Better Live with Cerebral Palsy

Hard thick plastic encompasses the whole of my lower leg. Vibrant red Velcro straps hold my leg in its sturdy grasp. Stiff but safe steps I walk. Heat radiates from my skin inside my trusty friend the brace. Shoes groan in pain when they stretch to let my plastic foot in, only to be smashed in return. The best and worst friend would hold my body prisoner for the day. The moment that air would caress my sweating skin outside the brace is no doubt the one of the most exhilarating freedoms I saw in those times. I stumbled around like a calf just learning how to walk with weak unused muscles. The clock chimed twelve and time would escort my brace arm in arm to me in the morning.
1. Know your limits
I once went on a series of walking tours through New Zealand and Australia for two weeks. No thought of how hard it would be on my body ever crossed my mind. The trip was going to be amazing no matter what. I didn’t want to be left behind by the group so I pushed myself to be able to walk with them. By the end of the first day, my whole body hurt from my upper back to the bottoms of my feet. I kept pushing myself to keep up day after day. With my exhaustion came a person that snapped at others with growing irritation as the days went on. I was miserable, in pain, and couldn’t care less about what I was seeing at the end. My body had reached its limit that first day because I didn’t pace myself. The walking tours were really hard, but I could have saved myself some pain and grumpiness if I had paced myself, rested whenever possible, and didn’t push quite as hard. Probably wasn’t my best idea to go, but I did and survived. Now I make a point to listen to my body. I still push myself when I have to, but I know which lines to cross and not to cross. Know what you can do, can’t do, and when there’s a grey area. However you never know until you try

2. Communicate and ask for help.
I hated asking for help when I was young. I would try to be as “normal” as possible. As my mother would say, I’m a glutton for punishment. If everyone was going up stairs that’s what I would do even if there were an elevator I didn’t care. I would ignore the accommodations the teachers gave and would handwrite everything I could before my hand gave way. Exhaustion hung on me like glue. There were times where it worked, but most times I would be forced to ask for help because I really did need it. Asking for help is the most humbling thing and for me an everyday thing. I had the realization one day that asking for help is absolutely fine when you need it. You are still capable to do what you can. Asking for help doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything. People aren’t going to judge you for needing help. It’s better to communicate what you need rather than leave people guessing. Do what you can and then ask for help.
3. Have a goal
Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the midst of routine and everyday clutter. You settle for what you have or you don’t have time to think. I tend to get stuck in life. If there’s nothing to do, I sit on my butt and Netflix. Having a goal motivates me because I am getting something I want out of the process. Goals move a person forward even if just a little bit. As a person with CP, I think it’s important to always be challenged to improve. It’s hard because it’s a challenge even to function sometimes. There’s something else that goals give us besides motivation. Goals bring hope that something is going to change. I need that hope to be able to go through my day. It doesn’t have to be big. Right now I’m practicing having balance on stairs. So everyday I work on lifting my foot up on a stair without falling. Make a goal that is small and something you can do to improve yourself.
4. Go your own pace

It’s really easy to compare yourself to others in this society. Does survival of the fittest sound familiar? I will never fit in that category ever. It takes three times more the effort and the energy for a person with CP to accomplish what comes easy for an able bodied person. All I see are backs of others when walking because even among friends I am the slowest. It’s easy to feel inadequate when others seem to be able. You are your own person. We have challenges that most people don’t. Life is not a timeline or mold you have to fit. Everything can be accomplished if you just keep working. I have so many regrets because I decided I would never be good enough so I quit. You can do it. Doesn’t matter how long it takes. A very wise woman told me that done is better than perfect. If perfect is a person rushing around like mad men, I never want to be perfect. Go your own pace in life. It may look totally different than the person next to you. The tortoise beat the hare because no matter how slow, he kept going. Don’t ever stop

Three Important Cerebral Palsy Exercises

Physical therapy is important when it comes to managing cerebral palsy. Join us as we discuss some of the most popular exercises that can help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with the condition.

Cerebral palsy is a developmental condition characterized by impaired mobility and cognitive problems. This condition occurs due to some form of injury or infection which injures a developing baby’s brain. Most of these injuries usually affect the motor and speech parts of the brain, meaning that a child born with cerebral palsy may have a hard time moving around without assistance. Fortunately, there are a couple of exercises that many individuals born with cerebral palsy can do in order to enhance mobility and increase both muscle tone and speech.
Aquatherapy
This is a gentle yet highly effective form of exercise carried out in a large body of water such as a pool. Children with cerebral palsy go through aerobic motions while immersed in water. This effectively strengthens and tones their muscles in a fun and stress-free way. The water provides the needed resistance to make these exercises effective.
Some of the benefits of aquatherapy include increased motor coordination, balance, and range of motion. This activity also creates a loving and supportive environment within which to get fit. It’s important to get a child suffering from cerebral palsy exercising early in life so they can reap maximum benefits out of this program.
Yoga and Stretching
Some variations of cerebral palsy present with muscle stiffness, making it hard for an individual to walk or even hold things. Yoga and stretching help expand muscles in a safe way. Through a series of timed breaths and movements, a person with cerebral palsy gains better awareness of his body and learns ways in which they can get immediate relief from muscle spasticity or stiffness. Cerebral palsy yoga poses have been specially adapted to ensure that they don’t put unneeded strain on the person practicing them.
Speech and Language Therapy

Children born with cerebral palsy may have slurred speech or have trouble formulating complete sentences. This may affect their self esteem and lead to other psychological issues such as anxiety. Speech language pathologists carry out a series of exercises to help these children learn how to correctly pronounce words, enunciate as well as use compensatory strategies to improve their communication and language skills.

Vision Problems in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Children born with cerebral palsy face different challenges. One such challenge is visual impairment. Cerebral palsy typically affects the muscles of the whole body, sometimes including the muscles controlling the eyes.
Decades of European research states that up to one third of individuals born with cerebral palsy may have some form of moderate visual distortion. At the same time, 10 percent of all children with CP have serious visual impairment. This may limit their ability to see clearly, read, interact with the environment and others as well as avoid potential hazards around them.

Cortical Visual Impairment
The most common type of visual impairment associated with cerebral palsy is called “cortical visual impairment.” This usually happens due to damage within parts of the brain responsible for processing visual stimuli. In this kind of scenario, the child may have numerous difficulties such as recognizing familiar places, faces and other things. They may also have a hard time seeing different things at the same time, as well as knowing where things are in a three dimensional setting.
Further problems associated with cortical visual impairment include:
Making quick eye movements.
Getting tired of using their eyes quickly.
Focusing when they are looking at an object that’s close by.
Blurred or missing fields of vision.
How You Can Help

You can help develop your child’s vision by giving them brightly colored toys to play with as well as placing them in well-lit rooms where possible. At the end of the day, these children need more visual stimulation if they are to regain a decent level of vision to go about their daily lives in a relatively independent manner.

Why is Cerebral Palsy Hard to Detect in child ?

Cerebral palsy can be hard to detect. There are several different forms of this disorder. It can be caused by a birth injury or it can manifest later in life, during the very first months of development, due to other causes. In any case, it’s sometimes quite difficult to spot this injury in infants. While there are predictable stages of development for most infants, some completely healthy babies lag a little behind the curve and this makes it difficult to determine, in some cases, whether a child actually has CP or is simply taking their time learning how to babble, roll over and reach other milestones.

There are also several different types of cerebral palsy. Ataxic cerebral palsy, for instance, is associated with an unsteady way of walking. Of course, because infants have a long way to go before they start walking, it’s sometimes difficult to see any sign of this injury. Spastic dysplasia is somewhat easier to detect, as it affects the entire body and stiffness throughout the musculature is a fairly easy thing to detect; the stiffness is oftentimes apparent when simply holding the infant.
Baby brain damage is obviously harder to detect because infants cannot articulate their condition. In some cases, there are learning difficulties that come with cerebral palsy. This is not always the case, however. Some infants with CP begin babbling right on schedule and are possessed of the same level of intelligence that anyone else is. However, there are oftentimes learning disabilities associated with this type of injury. This will also be difficult to detect until the child actually begins trying to talk and trying to learn to perform complicated tasks and to absorb complex information.

In some cases, the baby injury is simply the result of something going wrong during pregnancy or because of a health condition that manifests shortly after birth. There are cases, however, where medical intervention should have been performed during the birth process and wasn’t, resulting in a lifelong condition brought about by the brain injury that resulted from that negligence. Cerebral palsy, in any form, always entails significant expenses for treatment. These costs will likely continue on into the child’s adulthood and will certainly be a significant financial burden. Seeking out an attorney who can pursue these types of claims may be the best option for parents and children affected by CP.

What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?

Cerebral palsy, also referred to as CP, is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupt the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.
Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 18 months of age, and parents are often the first to suspect that their infant is not developing motor skills normally. Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach developmental milestones, such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk. This is sometimes called developmental delay.
Some affected children have abnormal muscle tone. Decreased muscle tone is called hypotonia; the baby may seem flaccid and relaxed, even floppy. Increased muscle tone is called hypertonia, and the baby may seem stiff or rigid. In some cases, the baby has an early period of hypotonia that progresses to hypertonia after the first 2 to 3 months of life. Affected children may also have unusual posture or favor one side of their body.

Parents who are concerned about their baby's development for any reason should contact their physician, who can help distinguish normal variation in development from a developmental disorder.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Causes,Diagnosis ,Complications and Treatment

Cerebral Palsy is the umbrella term for brain damage. The neurological disorders that can result are many and varied.
To offer some insight into what it is to experience Athetoid Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy and the associated movement disorders, consider an event that we’ve all experienced at some point in the twilight stages of sleep; just as we’re dozing off, our body twitches. Now imagine some extremity of your body, or your entire body, doing that when you’re awake, and not just once, but repetitively and there was nothing you could do to stop it!
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (fluctuating tone), which also includes athetoid, choreoathetoid and dystonic cerebral palsies, is a neurological disorder resulting in a variety of movement disorders that include:
Involuntary writhing movements
Frequent, abrupt, jerky and involuntary gross motor movements
Possible head and torso involvement
Associated Movement Disorders are Known as:
Hyperkinetic (excessive)
Bradykinetic (reduced) activity
Spasticity refers to the inability of a muscle to relax
Athetosis refers to an inability to control the movement of a muscle
Children with athetoid cerebral palsy have trouble holding themselves in an upright, steady position for sitting or walking, and often show lots of movements of their face, arms and upper body that they don’t mean to make (random, involuntary movements). These movements are usually big.
For some children with athetoid cerebral palsy, it takes a considerable amount of work and concentration to get their hand to a certain spot (like to scratch their nose or reach for a cup). Individuals with this disorder may appear to be in constant motion and often have speech difficulties. Because of their mixed tone and trouble keeping a position, they may not be able to hold onto things (like a toothbrush, fork or pencil).
Involuntary Movements Classified As:
tremors
chorea
ballism
myoclonus
tics
dystonias

Causes of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

The effects of various cerebral injuries depend on the location and severity of the damage. Effects can range from complete loss of a function to compromised and diminished function. It is possible to determine the location of a cerebral injury by determining what functions and abilities are absent or diminished. Cerebral insult or injury to the parasympathetic or sympathetic portions of the midbrain can result in athetoid cerebral palsy since the mid brain plays a role in facilitating motor function and muscle tone.
This type of cerebral palsy was once common as a result of blood type incompatibility, but is now rarely seen. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10% of children diagnosed with a form of Cerebral Palsy.

Diagnosis of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Many physicians are reluctant to make a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy until a child is 18 to 24 months old. Many of the normal developmental milestones are based on motor functions such as:
Reaching for toys (3-4 months)
Sitting (6-7 months)
Walking (10-14 months)
Some of the most pronounced movement disorders associated with athetoid cerebral palsy may not be evident until a child is expected to achieve certain developmental milestones. Parents are often the first to suspect that their baby’s motor skills are not developing normally and should contact their physician with any concerns, since they can help distinguish normal variation in development from a developmental disorder. Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed by 3 years of age. Early assessment and intervention are vital in helping a child with this disorder, to meet developmental milestones.

Complications of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Many children may be only mildly inconvenienced with the related movement disorders and neuromuscular involvement, while others may face years of therapies, medications and possibly surgeries to manage and reduce the consequences of athetoid cerebral palsy.
Some may be at increased risk for muscular skeletal complications such as contractures and scoliosis due to poor torso control in addition to compromised oral motor function resulting in speech and feeding challenges.
Many individuals with cerebral palsy have no additional medical disorder. However, depending on the nature of the cerebral injury, children with athetoid cerebral palsy may or may not exhibit developmental delays or learning disabilities. Many may have learning challenges due to the distraction the neuromuscular disorder causes, and the impact it would have on a child’s ability to focus and retain information. Some may additionally experience seizures, impaired intellectual development, oral motor skill dysfunction, vision and hearing impairment. Coping with these disabilities may be even more of a challenge than coping with the motor impairments of athetoid cerebral palsy.

Treatment for Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Medications can be prescribed to administer orally or via a feeding tube that can help reduce spasticity and the severity of the related movement disorders. They include: baclofen, diazepam or others your physician may consider beneficial. Additionally, therapy, supportive treatments and surgery may be necessary and can help many individuals improve their motor skills and ability to function and communicate with the world. Early childhood intervention programs are vital in identifying, addressing and managing the developmental and neuromuscular issues that some children may experience with this disorder. Untreated, a child with moderate to severe athetoid cerebral palsy can suffer severe developmental delays and be at risk for crippling neuromuscular conditions.

Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis Information

Many parents of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy are given little explanation of the cause, severity or future implications of the disorder. Surprisingly, many children may not receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis until they are school age, even though there may have been circumstances at birth that indicated risk of cerebral palsy. Many pediatricians take a “wait and see” attitude when parents present issues of delayed development.
Most cerebral palsy conditions are caused by lesions on the brain. These lesions may be caused by:
Injuries that occurred during pregnancy or birth
(congenital cerebral palsy)
Injuries sustained in the months or years following birth
(acquired cerebral palsy)
While symptoms range from mild to severe, the condition does not get worse as your child gets older. Depending on the level of severity however, a child may be at risk for complications related to cerebral palsy such asdevelopmental delays, failure to thrive, joint contractures, scoliosis orseizures.

Different Types of Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Known as the most common form of cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsycauses tightness in the muscles. Patients have stiff and jerky movements and will often have difficulty letting go of something in their hand. Many children with spastic cerebral palsy rely on medications, therapies or surgical interventions to manage their spasticity and prevent secondary complications.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy (fluctuating tone) is a neurological disorder resulting in a variety of movement disorders that result in involuntary and uncontrolled movements. A child may be shaky and unsteady and may make frequent, abrupt movements. Due to the mixed muscle tone involved in athetoid cerebral palsy, a child may experience difficulty with fine motor skills and maintaining torso control.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

A less common form of cerebral palsy is ataxic cerebral palsy. Ataxic CP disturbs a child’s sense of balance and depth perception, resulting in jerky, uncoordinated movements. A child with ataxic cerebral palsy may exhibit mixed tone and experience challenges with controlled movements.

How Cerebral Palsy Affects The Body

Cerebral palsy describes a range of disabilities associated with movement and posture. ‘Cerebral’ refers to the brain and ‘palsy’ means weakness or lack of muscle control. Although cerebral palsy is a permanent condition, a child with this condition can achieve greater control over movement, as they learn and practise motor skills. Cerebral palsy affects about 7,500 Victorians and more than 20,000 people Australia-wide.
How cerebral palsy affects the body
Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways – some people experience minor motor skill problems, while others may be totally physically dependent.
Cerebral palsy distorts messages from the brain to cause increased muscle tension (called hypertonus) or reduced muscle tension (called hypotonus). Sometimes this tension fluctuates, becoming more or less obvious. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent to the wrong muscle, or not sent at all. This affects the timing, quality and synchronisation of messages, generally resulting in erratic movement of the muscles. Only the message path between the brain and muscles is affected, not the muscles themselves. Cerebral palsy can be categorised into four main areas, according to the parts of the body it affects:
Quadriplegia – all four limbs are affected and the muscles of the face and mouth may also be affected.
Diplegia – all four limbs are affected, but legs more so than arms.
Hemiplegia – one side of the body is affected.

Paraplegia – both legs, but neither of the arms, are affected.

Life Expectancy for Those with Cerebral Palsy

In the majority of cases, children with cerebral palsy have the ability to live long and quality lives. Of course, accomplishing this means more extensive medical care than the average person needs to undergo. The key to ensuring long-term quality of life for cerebral palsy patients is early intervention, which may include special education and other types of technological assistance. The amount of these services that are necessary will depend on the level of severity and will differ from child to child.

In order for children with cerebral palsy to enjoy a long and quality lifespan, there are a number of things that may be important, including physical therapy, visits to health care professionals, and maybe even surgery in some cases.
The severity of the child’s condition, as well as improper management of his or her symptoms, may put the child at risk for diminished life expectancy. Although cerebral palsy is not progressive (will not worsen over time), other associated conditions and factors that are not connected to the original brain injury may change over time and have an effect on the overall health and life expectancy of the patient.

Those who spend the most time with the child—parents and caregivers—know the best ways to meet the child’s needs and are the best equipped to seek options for meeting those needs. They are also the best equipped for providing the help the primary care physician needs in order to track and record the child’s progress, condition, and identify any areas that may be of concern. Creating and implementing a plan of care can assist both parents and caregivers in maintaining records, identifying goals, and implementing plans of care and treatment.
Since each child’s condition varies in severity and needs, physicians must evaluate and prioritize all goals and plans of treatment on an individual basis. Some of the things parents and caregivers can do in order to optimize both the care the child receives as well as the quality of life include:
Work with the child’s primary care physician in order to development and make a commitment to treatment goals.


Make sure to begin treatment as soon as possible. Early intervention provides a better chance for an improvement in the future outcome.

Stem Cells Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

The families of children with cerebral palsy have few treatment options. These treatments include a range of physical and psychological therapies. Among the different types of therapies, one of the most popular is stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy is when parents agree to store their child’s cord blood at birth. Simply storing this cord blood can be a lifesaver because cord blood can be used to treat numerous types of cancer and immune system disorders.


Although stem cell therapy has been successful to a degree, it is quite arduous to tell the effects of stem cell therapy on a macro scale. The main reason for this is due to the fact that stem cell therapy and other therapies are measured at the same time which makes it almost impossible to tell which therapy is doing what, and the time frame in which the therapy is doing it. However, a recent test on lab rats shows that not only does stem cell therapy work, but it gets the job done faster than other therapies as well. In recent news, a clinical study has just begun (started in December of 2013) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in order to study two different forms of stem cell therapies for children who have cerebral palsy. We’re keeping an eye out for the results.

Surgery Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Successful surgery can increase independent motor function, such as improve walking and range of motion. It can also correct deformities in children with cerebral palsy.
Surgery is one of the many options available to help children with cerebral palsy improve mobility, posture and ensure healthy growth. Most doctors recommend physical therapy and medication before surgery.
Surgery can correct or improve movement and alignment in the legs, ankles, feet, hips, wrists and arms. These operations are performed on the muscles, tendons, bones and nerves.

As is the goal with all treatment of cerebral palsy, surgery aims to give children the greatest chance of living as independently as possible. Movement problems caused by cerebral palsy can improve over time, but they may also get worse. The main purpose of surgery is to make the condition more manageable and prevent future complications.
There are several orthopedic surgeries that correct movement problems and increase range of motion. These procedures are used to treat spasticity (jerky, exaggerated movements), and are usually suggested when movement becomes too painful or difficult. Orthopedic surgery can prevent future complications, such as contractures and hip dislocations.
Muscle lengthening – Surgical lengthening of the muscles can relieve tightness in the hands and fingers. Lengthening muscles in the arms can allow children to better grasp objects and improve fine motor skills.
Tendon lengthening – Lengthening tendons can reduce painful, mobility limiting contractures—a permanent tightening of the tendons or muscles. This surgery is often used to improve a child’s ability to walk.
Tendon transfer – Tendon transfers allow better alignment of joints and make it easier to control movement. This procedure fixes tendons at different places on the bone. It is often used to improve the extension and flexing of the wrists.
Tenotomy/myotomy – Cutting the tendon (tenotomy) or muscle (myotomy) can relieve stiffness and tightening of the muscles and joints.
Osteotomy – This procedure is used to realign joints for better posture and mobility. It involves repositioning bones at angles more conducive to healthy alignments and is commonly used to correct hip dislocations in children with CP.

Arthrodesis – In severe cases of spasticity, when splints and casts aren’t enough, arthrodesis may be used to permanently fuse bones together. Fusing the bones in the ankle and foot can make it easier for a child to walk.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy :Causes ,Risk Factors, Symptoms and Treatment

Mixed cerebral palsy is a developmental disorder caused by brain damage before, during or after birth. Children with mixed CP have damage to the motor control centers in several parts of their brain.
Children with this condition may have issues with movement, including: spasticity (abrupt, convulsive movements), involuntary movements, imbalance and lack of coordination. In order to understand mixed cerebral palsy, a quick overview of the primary issues with the other types of cerebral palsy can be helpful because each may be present in mixed CP.
Spastic – High muscle tone, causing stiffness and jerky movement
Athetoid – Variations in high and low tone, causing rigidity and floppiness
Ataxic – Issues with balance and coordination affect normal movement
Children who exhibit movement problems that fall into two or more of these categories are classified as having mixed cerebral palsy. The most common variation of mixed CP is a combination of spastic and athetoid.
Mixed CP varies based on the location of movement problems. These movement problems can occur in the legs (diplegia), one half of the body (hemiplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia).
Causes and Risk Factors
All cases of cerebral palsy are the result of damage to the developing brain. Injuries to the various motor control centers give rise to different types of cerebral palsy. In mixed CP, multiple parts of the motor control centers may be damaged, causing movement problems seen in various types of cerebral palsy.
Motor cortex
The motor cortex is one of the most important components of the brain’s motor control centers. Movement starts as signals from the motor cortex relayed to other parts of the brain that regulate motor control. These signals are then passed to the nerves in the muscles. Damage to the motor cortex causes spasticity in the muscles, joints and tendons.
Pyramidal tracts
The pyramidal tracts are the pathways whereby signals from the motor cortex travel to nerves in the spine. Damage to the pyramidal tracts has a similar effect to a damaged motor cortex. Signals from the motor cortex can’t get through without the pyramidal tracts. Therefore, this type of brain injury also causes movement problems characterized by spastic cerebral palsy.
Basal ganglia
The basal ganglia are a group of several types of neurons in the center of the brain. The basal ganglia process signals from the motor cortex before sending them along to the brainstem. Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the basal ganglia, which help control voluntary movements and cognition. Children with athetoid CP have issues with high and low muscle tone. These variations in muscle tone cause involuntary movement and lack of muscle control.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum’s role in motor function is to maintain balance and coordination of movement. Children with damage to the cerebellum have issues with posture, walking and fine motor skills. Some children with athetoid CP also have damage to the cerebellum. Children may develop ataxic CP if the cerebellum is only damaged by part of the brain.
There are numerous ways any of these parts of the brain can be damaged, most notably:
Infections before or after birth
Lack of oxygen at or during birth
Traumatic head injury in first years of life
There are several risk factors that may increase the chances of a child developing cerebral palsy, including: severe untreated jaundice, placental failure and bleeding in the brain. Learn more about the other risk factors of cerebral palsy.
Signs and Symptoms of Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Every case of cerebral palsy is unique because of the different levels of severity and specific locations of movement problems. Children with mixed cerebral palsy, however, tend to have an even wider variety in symptoms since each child may have different types of brain damage. The symptoms of any type of cerebral palsy may apply to a child with mixed cerebral palsy. Some of the most common are:
Exaggerated, jerky movements
Abnormal reflexes
Poor posture
Tremors or shakiness
Issues with coordination
Diagnosing mixed cerebral palsy can take up to 18 months because some children develop slower than others. It’s also hard to tell if a child with a brain injury will make a recovery and develop normally.
The typical signs of mixed CP in a child include:
Inability to hold up their head
Unnaturally stiff muscles
Crossed legs or abnormal gait
Inability to roll over
Favoring one arm when reaching for objects
Treatment for Mixed Cerebral Palsy
The level of treatment required for mixed cerebral palsy is different with every child. Some children may only require minor physical therapy, while others may need more radical treatments. Either way, the goal of treating cerebral palsy is to provide the child with the highest level of independence possible. This is accomplished through physical therapy, medication and sometimes surgery.
Physical therapy
This is generally the first step of treatment. The type of therapies geared toward a child with mixed cerebral palsy depends on the specific movement problems they are expressing. Physical therapy uses several methods of treatment, including: strength training, flexibility exercises, massage therapy and splints and casts to help with posture and walking.
Medications
There are many kinds of medications prescribed to children with mixed cerebral palsy. Not only are some medications designed to help control motor function, but some help manage co-occurring conditions, such as seizures and behavioral disorders.
Surgery

Surgery for children with cerebral palsy is generally geared to relieving painful contractures and making movement more manageable. Children with spasticity are the most likely to be recommended surgical treatment, although surgery may be helpful in some cases of mixed CP (with more characteristics of athetoid). There is a specific age children can benefit from surgery, and choosing surgery depends on the parents goals for their child’s quality of life.

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms and Effects

The symptoms and effects of cerebral palsy vary, depending on the location and extent of the damage to the brain. Some children have normal intelligence; others have learning disabilities. Some children have mild difficulties with movement; others are unable to control their limbs. Despite the great variation in symptoms, certain effects are common among people who have cerebral palsy.
Primary Effects
Cerebral palsy affects the areas of the brain that control muscle tone, movement, balance and coordination. As a result, all people who have cerebral palsy experience some degree of difficulty making smooth, deliberate movements. Typical symptoms include:
Abnormal muscle tone (muscles with too much or too little tone)
Muscles that pull unevenly on the joints
Abnormal reflexes (the persistence of primitive reflexes that people normally outgrow during infancy)
Balance and movement problems
Primary effects of cerebral palsy may improve with some treatments.
Secondary Effects
As a child grows and develops, the primary effects of cerebral palsy can lead to secondary effects, including:
Inadequate muscle growth, which causes contractures (shortening) of muscles and tendons
Bone deformities
Misalignment of the joints
Excessive fatigue with movement and walking
Pain
Treatments can often slow or correct secondary effects of cerebral palsy.
Tertiary Effects
The primary and secondary effects of cerebral palsy can lead people to adopt “coping responses”—ways of moving that compensate for challenges. For example, abnormal muscle tone in the legs can result in stiff knees that make walking difficult. People might compensate for this challenge by swinging their legs in a circle rather than a straight line when walking.
Tertiary effects typically improve following treatment of primary and secondary effects, assuming patients undergo rehabilitation therapy as part of their treatment plans.
Possible Associated Effects
Depending on the extent and location of the damage to the brain, some people who have cerebral palsy experience additional health and cognitive (thinking and learning) challenges. Some examples include:
Breathing difficulties
Depression, anxiety and mental health disorders
Feeding and swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
Hearing loss and vision problems
Learning disabilities or cognitive impairment
Seizures and epilepsy
Sensory issues
Sleep disorders
Speech and language difficulties
Age-Related Effects
The brain-related issues that cause cerebral palsy don’t get worse. The effects of cerebral palsy, however, often do progress as people age—especially without adequate treatment. For example, muscles that can support a 40-pound child might be too weak to support a 130-pound adult. In addition, abnormal muscle tone causes abnormal stress on the joints, which can wear out or become painful.

For these reasons, people who have cerebral palsy sometimes lose abilities—such as walking—when they grow older. In fact, people who have cerebral palsy might begin noticing the effects of aging in early adulthood. That’s why cerebral palsy requires a lifetime of expert medical care. Learn about Gillette’s services for teens and adults.

Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors

Cerebral palsy occurs in approximately 1.2 to 2.5 of every 1,000 infants born alive. Many factors—such as premature birth and serious illnesses—increase an infant’s risk of developing cerebral palsy. In some cases, infants who are born at normal weights and experience no known brain injuries still develop cerebral palsy.

Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight

A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks have a greater risk of developing cerebral palsy. The risk increases the earlier a baby is born. Twins and other multiple birth siblings are at particular risk because they tend to be born earlier and at lower birth weights.
The outlook for infants born prematurely or at low birth weights has improved considerably in recent years. Today, many premature infants survive—and new treatments have lowered the incidence of cerebral palsy among them to between 30 and 40 percent.

Serious Illness, Stroke or Infection in Baby
Infants who experience serious illnesses, strokes or seizures around the time of birth are at greater risk of developing cerebral palsy. Such illnesses might include:
Severe jaundice (kernicterus)
Seizures during the 48 hours after birth
Infections of the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis
Strokes caused by broken or clogged blood vessels or abnormal blood cells
Serious Illness, Stroke or Infection in Mother
Cerebral palsy is more common in children whose mothers:
Experience certain viral and bacterial infections and/or high fevers during pregnancy
Have coagulation (clotting) disorders or experience blood clots during pregnancy
Receive excessive exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy
Have thyroid problems, seizure disorders or other serious health concerns

Pregnancy and Birth Complications
Complications of pregnancy and birth—including inadequate nourishment through the placenta or a lack of oxygen during labor and birth—are associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy also is more common when babies and mothers have incompatible blood types (the mother is Rh positive and the baby is Rh negative, or vice versa).

Genetic and Developmental Problems
Some cases of cerebral palsy are genetic. Genetic conditions can affect development of the brain or other vital organs, such as the heart. Infants with genetic and developmental problems are more likely to develop cerebral palsy.

Related Risk Factors
Infants who are later diagnosed with cerebral palsy often:
Show abnormal results during a neurological exam in the hours or days after birth
Have an Apgar score of less than three at five minutes after birth
Require a mechanical ventilator to breathe

Have abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

Learn more about cerebral palsy knowledge

How Cerebral Palsy is Diagnosed

How Cerebral Palsy is Diagnosed
Most cerebral palsy is present at birth (congenital), and signs of it may be apparent shortly after delivery; however, delayed development when the baby becomes two or three months old is often the first signal that there is a problem. While many children with CP are diagnosed before they are two years old, milder cases of CP may elude diagnosis until the child is four or five years old.
Evaluating for Cerebral Palsy
When a doctor suspects a child may have cerebral palsy, he or she will first evaluate the patient’s motor skills. A through medical history will be taken. Because many other disorders present symptoms similar to cerebral palsy the possibility of these conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis of cerebral palsy can be confirmed
The first step in ruling out another condition consists of determining whether or not the child’s disability is getting progressively worse. Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder, although complications over time can make it worse. If the child’s condition is getting progressively worse, CP is ruled out.
Doctors will test for genetic or muscle diseases, if the disorder proves not to be cerebral palsy. Tumors or a metabolism disorder will also be tested for. A coagulation disorder can mimic the symptoms of CP because it causes strokes in the unborn or newborn baby which block blood flow and deprive the brain of sufficient oxygen. A coagulation disorder may also be the cause of CP. If a coagulation disorder is still present, it must be treated to prevent further brain damage.
If the child’s condition is not getting progressively worse, it is a sign that CP may indeed be the cause of the child’s problems. To confirm a diagnosis of CP, many diagnostic tests can be used.
Tests which can confirm CP.
To confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, doctors will use brain imaging techniques which allow them to see brain abnormalities and brain damage. The particular tests used are chosen in part based on the patient’s overall condition.
A cranial ultrasound is easier on patients than some of the other tests and so it is used on fragile, premature babies. A cranial ultrasound cannot show the detailed brain images that an MRI or a CT scan can, but it does give doctors some idea about what is happening in the baby’s brain.
For patients in less fragile condition a CT (computerized tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan will be used. The CT scan shows the structure of the brain in detail and allows doctors to more easily pinpoint the location of the damage or abnormalities.
An MRI uses radio waves, magnetic fields, and computer analysis to give an even more detailed picture of the brain. It is considered the gold standard for diagnosing any brain disorder.
An EEG (electroencephalogram) which uses electrodes to monitor the brain’s electrical activity may also be given. An EEG is especially useful if doctors suspect a seizure disorder may be present along with CP.
A team approach
Doctors generally use a team approach to diagnosis a complex disorder such as cerebral palsy. The child’s primary physician may refer him or her to a wide variety of specialists, such as pediatric neurologists and development pediatricians. Ophthalmologists and otologists may be consulted. The opinions of these various specialist give the child’s primary doctor a broader-knowledge base on which to base a diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis is made, work begins on a treatment plan. Working with the specialists, the primary physician will help the child’s family decide on the optimum treatment plan for the patient’s particular set of problems. Treatment may include medicines and orthopedic supports. Physical therapy (PT) is a vital part of treating all forms of cerebral palsy; PT strengthens weak muscles and prevents them from atrophying or going into contracture. Speech therapy and occupational therapy may also be given. Some CP patients may need surgery to correct or prevent problems such as ankle equinus (toe walking) or foot drop (difficulty lifting the front of the foot) or other orthopedic difficulties.

Maternal Issues Which Can Cause Cerebral Palsy

Congenital cerebral palsy is frequently caused by infections or other heath issues in the mother. Some of these problems cannot be entirely prevented, but others can be either prevented or treated so that they will not be a health risk for the unborn baby.
Maternal infections which can cause Cerebral Palsy
Prenatal care is vital for the health of both the woman and her unborn child. When the motherdevelops an infection her unborn baby can suffer adverse affects, including permanent brain damage. The following diseases can cause birth defects and have been especially associated with cerebral palsy:
• Rubella—also called “German measles” or “three-day measles,” can cause a variety of birth defects. Fortunately, it can be prevented with a vaccine. If you are considering becoming pregnant, be vaccinated for rubella before you try to conceive.
• Chickenpox (varicella) is a common childhood disease which can also be contracted by adults. Chickenpox can lead to the development of painful shingles years after it was contracted. Chickenpox can cause birth defects, but it can be prevented with a vaccine and women considering becoming pregnant should be vaccinated against the disease before they attempt to conceive.
• Cytomegalovirus is a common virus, as yet little known by the general public. Cytomegalovirus causes flu-like symptoms and can easily be mistaken for the common flu. It is estimated that before they reach age forty, the majority (80%) of people in the United States have contracted this virus. Symptoms of cytomegalovirus can come and go throughout one’s life. Cytomegalovirus can cause birth defects if the mother has her first episode of it while pregnant.
• Toxoplasmosis is parasite which can harm the unborn babies of women who contract the condition while pregnant. This parasite is found in the feces of infected cats and in the soil. If you are pregnant it is best to have someone else empty the cat litter box. If you must do the task yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands well afterwards; you should also protect yourself from parasites in the soil by wearing gloves when doing any form of gardening and washing your hands afterwards.
• Inflammatory pelvic disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It can be caused by the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia, and gonorrhea. It can also be caused by the bacteria which cause vaginosis. This infection is especially prone to cause a stroke in the unborn baby; fetal strokes are one cause of the brain damage which leads to cerebral palsy. Inflammatory pelvic disease can be treated with antibiotics, but ideally treatment should be done before you are pregnant. It is good idea to have a thorough check-up to rule out possible health problems before you try to conceive.
• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease which can also cause birth defects if the mother already has the disease or contracts it while pregnant.
• Herpes is a group of common sexually transmitted viruses which can cause birth defects. There are two types of herpes virus which cause genital herpes. There are also other types of virus known as herpes, such as the herpes B virus which causes chickenpox and shingles. According the a 2006 British study, babies exposed to the herpes B virus while in the womb or shortly after birth have a greater risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Maternal health conditions which can contribute to Cerebral Palsy
Health conditions which the mother chronically has may also affect her unborn child. Women with pregestational diabetes (diabetes which was present before the pregnancy) have greater chance of having a baby with birth defects. Maternal diabetes can also cause macrosomia—meaning the baby is too large at birth; overweight babies and underweight babies are more prone to health problems including cerebral palsy than are average weight newborns. If you have diabetes and are considering pregnancy, make sure that your blood sugar is well-controlled before you try to conceive. Talk with your doctor about your plans to conceive; he or she can help plan a routine to take the best care of your diabetes, for both yourself and your hoped-for-child.
Sometimes women who have not previously had diabetes develop a form of diabetes during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes and it is a temporary condition; however, it still poses a health risk for both the mother and child. Gestational diabetes puts the fetus at greater risk of cerebral palsy. If you are pregnant, the risk of gestational diabetes is another reason to have regular prenatal check-ups; gestational diabetes can and should be treated.
Women with thyroid problems are also slightly more likely to have a baby with birth defects. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located below the Adam’s apple; the thyroid gland is vital to bodily functions and helps to control metabolism Checking with your doctor to make sure that your thyroid status is under proper control before you conceive is an excellent idea. If you have had trouble balancing your thyroid status, you may want to check with an endocrinologist (gland specialist).

In addition, women with mental retardation are believed to be more prone to have a child with cerebral palsy or some other birth defect, although the reasons for this are not clear.

How do I Care for a Baby with Cerebral Palsy?

If you want to give your baby with cerebral palsy the best care possible, the first step involves a proper evaluation from his pediatrician. Finding a specialist who has experience in treating infants with cerebral palsy is vital. Parents of a baby with cerebral palsy will need to find therapists to help their child with his needs. Parents also will have to learn how to manage some complications of their child's cerebral palsy, including nutritional difficulties, seizures, and problems associated with a weakened immune system.

As a baby with cerebral palsy matures, he will most likely require various therapy programs.Physical therapy is one essential component. Speech therapy is another. Some therapists are trained in providing care for several aspects of treatment, but in many cases, your baby may need to see more than one therapist.
Quite often, a pediatric specialist will recommend the baby with cerebral palsy begin a therapy program when he is about eight months to one year old. Some may benefit from beginning therapy sooner. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age, most likely the disease is a congenital one. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend physical therapy before your baby's first birthday.
Caring for your baby with severe cerebral palsy will also mean monitoring him to ensure he does not choke during feeding. When he begins to eat solid food, the baby with cerebral palsy may be more prone to difficulties in swallowing, making choking a hazard to watch out for. As he enters the toddler stage, foods with soft textures are often recommended.
Seizures are another common problem for a baby with cerebral palsy. Knowing how to treat the child who is experiencing a seizure and ensuring he is in no danger during an episode is a vital part of care. Your child's doctor can provide the best advice on this matter.
A baby with cerebral palsy will be more susceptible to infection and often have a suppressed immune system. If you notice your baby is frequently contracting colds and other respiratory infections, be sure he has proper nutritional support for his needs. Special vitamin supplements may be highly recommended.

Parents of a baby with cerebral palsy may also seek out help from a support group. There are options available, so if you feel overwhelmed, remember that you do not have to go this alone. Online support groups may provide comfort and advice from others who share your experience. There are various organizations in most large cities that may offer support as well. Doing a bit of research or inquiring from your local hospital may help.

What Is the Connection between Cerebral Palsy and Brain Damage?

Cerebral palsy and brain damage are connected in the way that all cerebral palsy cases occur because of some type of brain damage, injury, or trauma to the cerebrum or the neurological pathways between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. This type of brain damage may occur in the womb, as a result of a medical condition, or during an accident. Cerebral palsy is a permanent, lifelong condition.

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, and contains the limbic system and cerebralcortex. Motor controls, cognitive thinking, language and speech, sensory controls, and vision are all functions controlled by these areas of the brain. Cerebral palsy usually affects the motor skills portion of the brain that is responsible for posture as well as muscle and limb movement. This causes problems with walking and muscle coordination, eating, and sitting, and it can make the person’s muscles very stiff or floppy. The cerebrum is also involved in many other body processes, including breathing and digestion, and cerebral palsy and brain damage can cause many other serious medical conditions to develop, such as seizures or respiratory disorders.

Cerebral palsy most often affects a fetus or child under two years old. Oxygen deprivation, also know as hypoxia, during birth is one of the most common cerebral palsy and brain damage causes. This can occur during a breech delivery or if the fetal heart rate decreases to the point where the brain is not receiving enough oxygen from the blood supply. Certain diseases or infection present during pregnancy may also increase the risk that cerebral palsy and brain damage could occur. Rhesus incompatibility, also known as Rh disease, can cause severe jaundice in a newborn, leading to brain damage.

Cerebral palsy and brain damage could also be the result of abnormal growth of the cerebrum or the connections between the cerebrum and the cerebellum during a fetus’ development in the womb. The condition is a result of a abnormally developed brain and not due to a genetic mutation or hereditary condition. In the instance of premature newborns, the brain is not given the time to fully develop.

An injury to the head caused by a fall or motor vehicle accident can also cause cerebral palsy and brain damage to occur in young children. Stoke, exposure to toxins, or meningitis could injure the cerebrum or cerebellum, damaging the child’s ability to develop motor skills. Infants and children who have trouble meeting early childhood development milestones should be seen by a pediatrician to determine if the child could have cerebral palsy.