What is Cerebral Palsy? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.

 


Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor cortex of the brain before or shortly after birth. CP is characterized by an impairment of voluntary movement and can affect movement, posture, balance and coordination, muscle control and reflexes. Most people with cerebral palsy have mild to moderate limitations in physical functions. Some people with CP have difficulty speaking and others have intellectual disabilities.

 

Causes Of Cerebral Palsy

Preterm Birth 

Among children born prematurely, between 40% and 50% develop cerebral palsy. Most of these cases are believed to be due to issues that occur around the time of birth, often just after birth. Multiple-birth infants are also more likely than single-birth infants to have cerebral palsy.

 

Term Infants

 Risks to a baby's life include birth defects, low birth weight, breathing meconium into the lungs at birth, a delivery requiring either the use of instruments or an emergency Caesarean section, birth asphyxia, seizures just after birth, respiratory distress syndrome, low blood sugar and infections in the baby.

 

Genetics

Cerebral palsy is not considered a genetic disease, as only about 2% of cases are inherited. One of the possible enzymes involved in inherited CP is glutamate decarboxylase-1. Most cases of inherited CP are autosomal recessive, but there is also a small percentage (less than 5%) of cases that stem from prenatal brain damage, which may have a genetic basis. Cerebral palsy is not considered a genetic disease, as only about 2% of cases are inherited. One of the possible enzymes involved in inherited CP is glutamate decarboxylase-1. Most cases of inherited CP are autosomal recessive, but there is also a small percentage (less than 5%) of cases that stem from prenatal brain damage, which may have a genetic basis.

 

Early Childhood

After birth, other causes of mental retardation are toxins, severe jaundice, lead poisoning, physical brain injury, stroke, and abusive head trauma. Other possible causes include incidents involving hypoxia to the brain and encephalitis or meningitis.

 

Treatment

There is currently no cure for cerebral palsy. However, children may receive therapies from neuro doctors to address their individual limitations, as well as assistive devices that can aid in mobility and quality of life. Healthcare professionals may prescribe medicines that relieve muscle pain and stiffness; many patients also benefit from physical therapy. Surgery can be an effective treatment for conditions such as scoliosis, leg braces to improve walking ability and sores on feet caused by pressure from shoes. A high-calcium diet rich in vitamin D and phosphorus is recommended for individuals with cerebral palsy to aid bone health; dietitians and speech-language therapists can help families achieve healthy eating habits.

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