Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a condition characterized by motor dysfunction or uncoordinated muscle movement. Injury to the cortex of the brain accounts for the dysfunction, notes the Brain Connection website. Diagnosing cerebral palsy before one year of age is difficult; physicians need time to sort out neurological abnormalities.
Symptoms
Lack of muscle coordination while attempting voluntary movement, stiff or tight muscles, dragging a foot or leg, shaking, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing or speaking are all symptoms of cerebral palsy, notes the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS.
Causes
The majority of cerebral palsy, 90 to 95 percent, occurs as a result of events that occurred during early fetal development, just before, during or after birth, claims NINDS website. Genetic abnormalities, infections or fever within mother and fetal injury can lead to CP, notes the same website.
Risk Factors
CP occurs at a higher rate in low-birthweight and premature babies, states NINDS. Complications during delivery, maternal exposure to toxic substances and mother's with mental retardation, seizures and thyroid problems raise the risk for a child with CP, sites NINDS.
Types
There are several types of CP; spastic quadriplegia is the most severe type, claims NINDS. Moderate to severe mental retardation coincides with it. Spastic hemiplegia affects the arm and hand on one side of the child's body; these children usually begin to walk later and do so on tiptoe.
Treatments
CP children will require visits with a physical and occupational therapist. Speech and language therapy along with recreational therapies may also be needed, sites NINDS. Oral medications such as baclofen and diazepam are used to relax stiff muscles.
