Cerebral palsy can be classified as a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood. The disorder is caused by abnormal development in parts of the brain that control muscle movement. This permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination, and does not get worse over time. Muscles may become weak and floppy, or rigid and stiff. In the U.S. and Europe, cerebral palsy affects about two to four out of 1,000 births, and babies born prematurely or with low birth weight are at high risk, according to MayoClinic.com.
Causes
Infections have been suspected in many cases of cerebral palsy and may occur during pregnancy or infancy. Common infections during pregnancy are cytomegalovirus which infects a large number of people producing flu-like symptoms.
When pregnant women are infected, the disease may cause birth defects. German measles and chickenpox are also common viruses that infect pregnant women, but can be prevented with vaccination. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite found in cat feces, and syphilis a sexually transmitted disease; both have been known to harm fetuses. Common diseases that harm infants include meningitis which is inflammation of the membranes covering the brain; and viral encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain.
Other factors that may cause cerebral palsy include congenital abnormalities in which the brain does not develop properly. Mutations, exposure to radiation, toxins and infections may all contribute to incomplete brain development. Stroke affects fetal brain development by blocking the flow of oxygen. Severe jaundice in newborns may cause brain damage if left untreated.
Complications
One complication is known as contracture, or severe muscle pulling, whereby the muscle pulls tightly to the point where the limbs curl inwards. This can lead to joint deformity or dislocation. Malnutrition is also common in infants due to difficulty swallowing food. This can result in weakening of the body. Other complications may occur in combination and include dental problems, mental retardation, urinary incontinence, seizures, difficulty with speech, vision, and hearing, and abnormal sensation or perception.
Symptoms
According to MayoClinic.com, symptoms vary from mild to severe. They include asymmetrical walking with one foot dragging behind the other; stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes; excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing and speaking; tremors; lack of muscle coordination; muscles either too stiff or too floppy and difficulty with precision motions such as writing. Mental retardation and seizures have also been known to occur with cerebral palsy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made between around age 1 or 2. Brain scans are used to check the brain physically. Cranial ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to generate a picture of the brain. Computerized tomography, or CT, is a scan using X-rays from different angles to look for abnormalities of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses a magnet to obtain detailed views of the brain. Electroencephalogram, or EEG, is used to test the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes. Blood tests are also used to test for genetic or metabolic factors related to cerebral palsy.
Treatment
Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatments are for symptoms. Muscle relaxants like diazepam, baclofen, dantrolene and tizanidine help relax stiff muscles while Botox injections relieve muscle spasms and contractures. Physical therapy helps strengthen muscles, coordination and mobility; occupational therapy helps the child with participating in daily activities; and speech therapy helps the child to speak clearly and communicate. Surgery may be required for children with deformities or contractures to assist them in moving easily. Severing of nerves may be performed to stop spasms and relax muscles.
