Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
With treatment and therapy, most children can significantly improve their abilities.
The treatment of cerebral palsy may often include:
Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychotherapy, Medication, Surgery, and/or Occupational Therapy.
Most cerebral palsy conditions are caused by a brain injury that occurred during pregnancy or birth (congenital), or in the months/years following birth (Acquired CP). While symptoms range from mild to severe, the condition does not get worse as the child gets older.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. With early and ongoing treatment, however, the disabilities associated with cerebral palsy can be reduced. Many different therapies are available, most under the supervision of a medical specialist or other allied professional. Not all of these therapies are right for every person with cerebral palsy. The therapy regimen for a specific individual with cerebral palsy should be tailored to meet the needs of that individual. A treatment may work for one child but not for another. The parents and the child’s care team work together to choose only those treatments that offer some benefit to the child.
Specific treatment varies by individual and changes as needed if new issues develop. In general, treatment focuses on measures that maintain or improve a person's quality of life and overall health.
Initial treatment
Physical therapy is an important treatment that begins soon after a child is diagnosed and often continues throughout his or her life. This therapy also may begin before a definite diagnosis is made, depending on the child's symptoms.
Medicines can help control some of the symptoms of CP and prevent complications. This treatment may include injectable antispasmodics to help relax tight muscles and improve range of motion. Other medicines may be used for common problems related to cerebral palsy, such as anticonvulsant medicines for seizures.
In some cases, orthopedic surgery (for muscles, tendons, and joints) or selective dorsal rhizotomy (cutting nerves of affected limbs) for contracture or other mobility problems is performed soon after diagnosis on a baby or very young child with severe problems.
Often the biggest problem for parents is fear of the unknown. Learning about CP can help you to understand the condition and be familiar with some of the challenges and joys of raising a child with cerebral palsy. Being informed can help give you a sense of control about how best to help your child. For more information, talk to your doctor or see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.
Ongoing treatment
Cerebral Palsy Causes ...
Cerebral Palsy Causes
Cerebral palsy results from damage to certain parts of the developing brain.
This damage can occur early in pregnancy when the brain is just starting to form, during the birth process as the child passes through the birth canal, or after birth in the first few years of life.
In many cases, the exact cause of the brain damage is never known.
At one time, problems during birth, usually inadequate oxygen, were blamed for cerebral palsy.
In fact, current thinking is that at least 70-80% of cases of cerebral palsy begin before birth (prenatal).
Some cases begin after birth (postnatal).
In all likelihood, many cases of cerebral palsy are a result of a combination of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors.
Risk factors linked with cerebral palsy include the following:
Cerebral palsy results from damage to certain parts of the developing brain.
This damage can occur early in pregnancy when the brain is just starting to form, during the birth process as the child passes through the birth canal, or after birth in the first few years of life.
In many cases, the exact cause of the brain damage is never known.
At one time, problems during birth, usually inadequate oxygen, were blamed for cerebral palsy.
In fact, current thinking is that at least 70-80% of cases of cerebral palsy begin before birth (prenatal).
Some cases begin after birth (postnatal).
In all likelihood, many cases of cerebral palsy are a result of a combination of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors.
Risk factors linked with cerebral palsy include the following:
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms ...
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
Even when the condition is present at birth, the Symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP) may not be noticed until a child is between 1 and 3 years of age. This is due to the way children develop and mature. Doctors and parents may not recognize that a baby's movements are irregular until they become more pronounced as a child grows. Parents and caregivers usually are the first to notice that a baby has developmental delays that may be early signs of CP.
When CP is severe, signs are often noticed at birth or shortly thereafter. But some early signs of severe CP vary according to the specific type of CP present.
Common Symptoms of severe CP that may be noticed shortly after birth include:
- Problems sucking and swallowing.
- A weak or shrill cry.
- Unusual positions. Often the body is either very relaxed and floppy or very stiff. When held, babies may arch their backs and extend their arms and legs. These postures are different from and more extreme than those that sometimes occur in babies with colic.
- Seizures.
Types Of Cerebral Palsy ...
Cerebral Palsy Types :
Spastic Cerebral Palsy - occurs in about 70% of cases. The spasticity is due to upper motor neuron involvement and may mildly or severely affect motor function. The syndrome may produce hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or diplegia.
Affected limbs usually are underdeveloped and show increased deep tendon reflexes, weakness, and a tendency toward contractures. A scissors gait and toe walking are characteristic. In mildly affected children, impairment may occur only during certain activities (eg, running). With quadriplegia, an associated impairment of oral, lingual, and palatal movement, with consequent dysarthria, is common.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy - occurs in about 70% of cases. The spasticity is due to upper motor neuron involvement and may mildly or severely affect motor function. The syndrome may produce hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or diplegia.
Affected limbs usually are underdeveloped and show increased deep tendon reflexes, weakness, and a tendency toward contractures. A scissors gait and toe walking are characteristic. In mildly affected children, impairment may occur only during certain activities (eg, running). With quadriplegia, an associated impairment of oral, lingual, and palatal movement, with consequent dysarthria, is common.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
What Is Cerebral Palsy ...?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders that result from a brain injury or abnormal brain development and that may occur during fetal growth, at the time of birth, or within the first 2 or 3 years of a child's life. The brain injury that causes CP does not get worse over time, but symptoms may begin, change, or become more severe as a child grows.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders that result from a brain injury or abnormal brain development and that may occur during fetal growth, at the time of birth, or within the first 2 or 3 years of a child's life. The brain injury that causes CP does not get worse over time, but symptoms may begin, change, or become more severe as a child grows.
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