The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that each year in the United States, about 10,000 babies are born with cerebral palsy. A result of neurological damage during the pregnancy or during the first two years of life, cerebral palsy affects patients' movement. MedlinePlus points out that learning disorders commonly occur in cerebral palsy patients, though intelligence can be normal.
Risk Factors
Children with certain conditions have a higher risk of having cerebral palsy. For example, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke points out that babies with a birth weight under 5.5 pounds or babies born before 37 weeks into the pregnancy have a higher risk of cerebral palsy. A breech birth, in which the legs come out first, also increases the risk. Illnesses that the mother has during the pregnancy can contribute to the onset of cerebral palsy. These illnesses include infections like toxoplasmosis and herpes, thyroid abnormalities and seizures. Exposure to mercury during the pregnancy is another risk factor.
Medications
Patients with cerebral palsy can take medications to help with the symptoms. Since patients can have stiff muscles, MayoClinic.com notes that they can take muscle relaxants, which include diazepam, tizanidine, baclofen and dantrolene. Botulinum toxin type A can treat muscle spasms. MedlinePlus adds that if cerebral palsy patients have seizures, they can take anticonvulsants like gabapentin.
Therapies
Different types of therapies can help with cerebral palsy. Physical therapy, which guides the patient through specific exercises, can improve mobility. The exercises that the physical therapist does with the patient helps with flexibility, strength and balance. Some cerebral palsy patients may need adaptive equipment to help them walk, such as braces and wheelchairs. An occupational therapist can teach patients how to use this equipment. MayoClinic.com points out that occupational therapy can also help patients with feeding and swallowing. A third therapy for cerebral palsy, speech therapy, focuses on teaching patients to speak clearly or use sign language. Some patients may use pictures for communication instead.
Prognosis
The amount of disability caused by cerebral palsy ranges from mild to severe. MedlinePlus notes that some patients may require long-term care. With severe cerebral palsy cases, patients may require residential care, in which they live in a facility with round-the-clock care.
Prevention
MayoClinic.com explains that while many cases of cerebral palsy cannot be prevented, pregnant women can take certain precautions. For example, women can live a healthy lifestyle to prevent illness. Through early and regular prenatal care, the doctor can monitor the child's health. Mothers should also have all of their immunizations, as having a disease such as rubella, a viral infection, during pregnancy can increase the baby's risk of cerebral palsy.
