1. Cerebral Injuries
Cerebral palsy is a broad term that covers disorders resulting from brain damage occurring during birth or soon after. Causes include birth trauma, infection and genetic conditions. All disorders in this category manifest through some difficulty moving, balancing and maintaining standard posture. The severity of symptoms depends on the location and degree of brain damage. Problems range from difficulties with hearing and vision, to seizures and mental retardation. Some symptoms are mild, requiring minimal intervention, while others are more severe.
2. Categories of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy falls into one of three categories including spastic, dyskinetic and mixed. Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common, causes stiff muscles that don't move fluidly. The whole body is affected (quadriplegia), half the body is affected (hemiplegia) or the legs are affected (diplegia). Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is either athetoid and ataxic. The athetoid type originates with damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia. It causes low muscle tone and involuntary movements of various parts of the body. The ataxic type affects a child's balance, coordination and depth perception. Lastly, mixed cerebral palsy is any combination of the aforementioned types.
3. Symptoms Emerge
Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy emerge as children encounter developmental milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and talking. Diagnosis of severe cases often occurs soon after birth, but it can take several years for symptoms to manifest. Often, diagnosis isn't made until a child is one or two years old. Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy based on medical history, physical exam and some tests. Medical tests used include MRI, CT scan or ultrasound of the brain.
4. Steady Treatment
While there isn't a cure for cerebral palsy, there are numerous therapies that help children overcome obstacles in development. These therapies include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, orthotic devices and medications to control seizures and muscle spasms. Consistent application of these therapies improves quality of life for a child with cerebral palsy.
5. Prenatal Prevention
Even though most cases of cerebral palsy can't be prevented, there are some things women can do to lessen the chance of experiencing complications during birth. First, if you're considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting immunized against diseases, such as rubella. Maintain a strong immune system to protect yourself against infections that lead to cerebral palsy. Finally, proper prenatal care provides some protection against premature births, a major risk factor for cerebral palsy.
