Cerebral Palsy
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a disorder of posture and movement. It is caused by non-progressive damage to the brain while it's still developing in the womb. As the brain matures, the symptoms will become apparent. Around one in every five hundred babies is affected by cerebral palsy.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
The most common cause is damage to the brain whilst the baby is developing inside the womb. Antenatal factors can be found in eighty per cent of affected babies. Other factors include:-
- Genetic problems
- Malformation of the brain
- Rubella
- Toxoplasmosis
- Lack of oxygen during birth
- Brain haemorrhage
- Encephalitis
- Head injury
- Meningitis
- Hydrocephalus
- Jaundice
What Are The Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy?
Symptoms of cerebral palsy can take some months to appear and include
- Stiffness or floppiness of the limbs
- Posture problems
- Spastic cerebral palsy is when the limbs are stiff and drawn into the body
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is when the child develops involuntary writhing movements. The mouth muscles may be unco-ordinated and slow feeding, gagging and vomiting
- Crawling, walking and other co-ordinated movements may be delayed
- Limbs may be weak or paralysed
- Slowness in developing speech and social skills
- Epilepsy
What Kind Of Difficulties Might A Child With Cerebral Palsy Experience?
- Posture and movement
- Learning difficulties
- Speech and language disorders
- Loss of hearing
- Visual problems including squint
- Epilepsy
How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Your doctor will be able to diagnose cerebral palsy. Brain scans can be done to check the diagnosis.
Is There A Cure For Cerebral Palsy?
There is no cure for cerebral palsy at present. Medicines and some forms of surgery can be used to treat specific problems, including muscle spasms
Children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy can expect a fairly normal lenth of life.
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