Cerebral palsy, or CP, is not simply one disorder but a term to describe various chronic movement and posture disorders as stated by CerebralPalsy.org. It is caused by the brain's inability to properly control the body, and the symptoms vary depending on the type of CP one has. Currently, more than half a million Americans are inflicted with this condition, while another 4,500 infants and children are diagnosed annually.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy in Infants
Most cases of CP appear to be the result of problems that take place while the mother is still pregnant with the child. This includes a number of conditions an expectant mother may become infected with during her pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include the German measles and chickenpox, both of which can be prevented with a vaccination. Other infections such as toxoplasmosis, a condition resulting from a parasite found in both soil and the feces of cats, and syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, cannot be prevented.
Problems during labor and delivery which may deprive the child of oxygen to his brain is another possible cause, although in recent years this has become a more rare cause of CP. Severe jaundice after birth that is left untreated however, can cause permanent brain damage to the infant.
Infants can also be inflicted with CP after birth. Both meningitis and viral encephalitis cause damage to the brain of a child who was otherwise born healthy.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy in Adults
While most cases of CP occur during infancy and childhood, adult onset is a possibility. Strokes are a result of a blood clot blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, thus causing brain damage. In today's society, strokes are associated with the elderly. Though this may be the case a majority of the time, it is possible for a blood clot to enter the placenta while a baby is in the womb, thus blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby when she is in utero. Should this occur, her blood vessels can be weakened and blood may leak into her brain, resulting in irreversible damage.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic CP is the most common type of cerebral palsy and causes the muscles to become jerky and rigid. This type is broken down into three categories--spastic diplegia, spastic hemiplegia and spastic quadriplegia.
Diplegia affects a child's legs and hip muscles, keeping them tight and causing them to cross at the knees. Often referred to as scissoring, diplegia makes it difficult for a child to walk.
Hemiplegia affects only one side of a child's body, causing that side to stiffen. His arms may be more affected than his legs, and vice versa. In addition, his arms and legs may not fully develop, and leg braces are usually required.
Quadriplegia is the most severe of the three types of spastic CP, and it is much more likely that a child will be diagnosed with mental retardation in addition to his inability to move his arms, legs and body. Not only will walking and talking prove challenging, but this type of CP may also be accompanied by seizures.
Athetoid Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
The second most common type of CP, according to the Neurology Channel, is athetoid dyskinetic cerebral palsy, in which a child will have a normal intelligence, but her muscle tone will be affected. It may be too weak or tight, resulting in problems with walking and sitting. Drooling is also a common problem, as her ability to control facial expressions is weak. Speaking clearly may also prove difficult.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least diagnosed of all the types. Balance may prove to be a problem, so he walks with his feet spread farther apart. Tying his shoes and buttoning his shirt may also prove difficult due to the necessity of fine motor skills, and when reaching for something he wants, his hand may begin shaking; this is known as intention tremors.
