Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The most prevalent physical disability in children, cerebral palsy, is caused by damage to the developing brain before or during birth. Neurological and musculoskeletal issues can influence posture, sensory perceptions, communication, mobility, and other functions in people with cerebral palsy. “Cerebral” refers to something related to the brain, and palsy refers to weakness or issues with movement in the body.

Brain Palsy: What You Should Know

• Cerebral palsy can be brought on by brain injuries that occur before, during, or after birth.
• Infants and toddlers are typically the first to show cerebral palsy symptoms.
• Nearly 50% of kids with cerebral palsy experience spasticity or hypertonia (excessive muscle tension) with increased tendon reflexes.
• Cerebral palsy does not yet have a known cause or treatment, but there are orthopaedic, neurological, and medical disorders that can be treated.

Causes

The parts of the brain that regulate motor function can be damaged by several different types of traumas, including:

• Preterm birth is the leading contributor to infant mortality.
• Including shaken baby syndrome and head injuries.
• brain or spinal cord infections.
• Events that impede blood flow to the brain, such as strokes, prevent oxygen from reaching the brain, as in near-drowning situations.
• Malnutrition.
• Ingesting heavy metals.

Symptoms

From mild to severe, cerebral palsy symptoms might vary from person to person. For example, some people with cerebral palsy could find it challenging to sit and walk. Other people living with cerebral palsy may struggle to hold objects. As a kid matures and acquires motor abilities, the condition’s consequences may become more or less evident or restrictive. Additionally, they differ according to the brain region that was impacted. Among the more widespread signs are:

• Trouble walking
• Delays in mastering motor skills such as rolling over, sitting up by themselves, or crawling, differences in muscle tone, such as being too floppy or too stiff, or spasticity
• Stiff muscles
• Hyperactive reflexes
• Poor motor coordination
• Tremors or uncontrollable movements, excessive drooling, and swallowing issues
• Preference for one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand, neurological conditions, such as seizures, or intellectual disability
• Blindness

What Kind of Cerebral Palsy Is There?

There are two methods to categorise cerebral palsy: by the bodily areas that are most affected and by the most noticeable movement disorder. Cerebral palsy movement abnormalities come in four different varieties. They are the outcome of injury to various brain regions. There are multiple forms of cerebral palsy, including:

Spastic cerebral palsy: About 75% of CP patients have this condition. People with spastic CP have rigid, tight, and involuntarily contracted muscles. Due to muscle spasticity, their motions, including walking and talking, may seem jerky (stiff).

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy, called athetoid cerebral palsy, is a form of CP resulting in jerky facial movements, tongue, and limbs. The signs could be fluid and leisurely or irregular and rapid. The person may appear to be twisting or writhing. When the person is moving around, the movements are more pronounced. Drooling is common in people with dyskinetic CP because they frequently have problems swallowing their saliva.

Ataxic cerebral palsy (CP) affects balance, coordination, and depth perception. Children with this kind of CP frequently walk with their feet apart, appearing to tremble when they move. They can struggle to stand still or walk without stumbling or falling.

Mixed types: Multiple symptoms may co-occur when there is damage to more than one part of the brain. Spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic cerebral palsy symptoms can all be present in a person with mixed cerebral palsy.

Diagnosis

Your child’s muscle tone, motor skills, coordination, and movement will be examined by a doctor to determine whether your child has cerebral palsy. In addition, your doctor will enquire about your baby’s development and birth history. You should let the doctors know of the development of your child and if they have experienced any delays.

The health of kids and their families depends on getting a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis early. Unfortunately, it may take multiple measures to diagnose Cerebral Palsy:

Monitoring of Development

Monitoring a child’s developmental progress, also known as surveillance, involves keeping track of that child’s development. A developmental screening test should be administered as soon as feasible if child development issues are discovered while the youngster is being monitored.

Screening for Development

A quick test is administered during developmental screening to see whether the child has any particular developmental delays, such as mobility or motor delays. The doctor will recommend you for developmental and medical examinations if the screening test findings are worrying. A thorough medical history, a physical examination that includes a thorough neurological examination, and an assessment of the symptoms are all steps a doctor will take to diagnose cerebral palsy.

Additional evaluations like the ones below could also be used:

Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG is performed to assess brain electrical activity. When a patient exhibits symptoms of epilepsy, which is the main cause of seizures, a doctor might prescribe it. Find out more about seizures and epilepsy.

MRI: An MRI creates precise brain images using strong magnets and radio waves. A medical expert may perform an MRI to detect abnormalities or injuries to the brain.

CT scan: Clear cross-sectional images of the brain are produced by a CT scan. It may also show signs of brain injury.

Ultrasound: A cranial ultrasound is a technique for obtaining basic images of a young infant’s brain using high-frequency sound waves. It is reasonably quick and affordable. Study up on ultrasounds.

Blood test: To rule out other potential illnesses, such as bleeding disorders.

Treatment

Although cerebral palsy has no cure, early and personalized treatment can greatly improve quality of life. A team of specialists typically works together to manage symptoms and support development.

• Medications are used to ease muscle stiffness, control seizures, and manage pain or drooling.
• Therapies such as physical, occupational, speech, and mental health therapy help with mobility, communication, and daily activities.
• Surgical options may be considered to correct bone or muscle issues and reduce spasticity.
• Supportive services like educational aid and social work ensure individuals receive help beyond medical care.

Lifelong care and regular evaluations are essential as needs may change over time, especially during the transition to adulthood.

Can Cerebral Palsy be Prevented?

Cerebral palsy cannot be prevented, although it is feasible to lower the chance of having a child with the condition. Be sure to receive quality prenatal care if you’re expecting or planning a family. Your doctor will keep an eye on you and your child’s health and handle any problems as they come up. Visit your doctor frequently to have your infant checked. Keep up with vaccinations to shield your child from diseases that might cause cerebral palsy.

Whom to Consult?

Your child’s family doctor or paediatrician will assess your child’s signs and symptoms, keep track of their growth and development, review their medical history, and perform a physical examination if they have any reason to believe your child has cerebral palsy.

Frequently Asked Questions