Cerebral Palsy: Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatment

Cerebral palsy is a condition which impairs or inhibits the brain's ability to control the body, particularly muscle and motor movements. A cerebral palsy doctor can determine whether your child has cerebral palsy or some other medical condition.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

what causes cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy can be acquired after birth as a result of a head injury, infection, near-drowning incident, or poisoning. However, most cases of cerebral palsy are linked to an incident which occurred during pregnancy or birth. Studies show that the majority of Cerebral Palsy birth are the result of an incident that occurred during the first six months of pregnancy. cerebral palsy therapy may be needed if diagnosed.

Pregnancy Related to Cerebral Palsy

Breech birth;
Mother has a small pelvis;
Mother's consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs;
Mother's exposure to toxic substances;
Mother's malnutrition;
Abnormal brain development of the baby;
Sexually transmitted diseases;
Placenta damage; and
Intracranial hemorrhage caused by the unborn baby having a stroke before or during delivery.

Unborn Baby Stroke

Pelvic inflammatory disease in mother;
Existence of a blood clot in the placenta which blocked blood flow;
Insufficient arterial blood flow to the baby's brain;
Inflammation of the placenta and other placental disorders;
Abnormal umbilical cord;
Prolonged labor;
Emergency C-Section;
Untreated pre-eclampsia in mother;
Blood disorders in baby;
Abnormal heart development in baby;
Lack of oxygen to the baby's brain during delivery;
Vacuum extraction delivery.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are several types of cerebral palsy. Spastic Cerebral Palsy manifests as stiff and difficult movements. There are three categories of spastic cerebral palsy:

Spastic Hemiplegeia usually results in stiffness on one side of the body. This type of cerebral palsy spasticity usually affects only a hand or arm, but may also involve a leg. The effected limbs may not develop properly. Spastic cerebral palsy children have normal intelligence, but may have seizures and speech problems.
Spastic Diplegia affects only the lower limbs. cerebral palsy infants with this type of spastic cerebral palsy have stiff legs and hips. Their legs are often crossed at the knees which makes walking very difficult
Spastic Quadriplegia affects all four extremities as well as the body. This is the most severe form of spastic cerebral palsy. Children with spastic quadriplegia have difficulty walking and talking and are often mentally retarded.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy affects balance and depth perception. Some children with this form of cerebral palsy may have difficulties with speech, but otherwise exhibit normal intelligence and good communication skills.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy, results in involuntary and uncontrollable movements. This is the most common form of cerebral palsy and may result in problems walking, sitting, maintaining posture, and speaking. Athetoid cerebral palsy infants may drool excessively.
Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy infants are unable to hold up their heads and their body movements are “rag doll-like”. Some infants with this form of cerebral palsy may have difficulty breathing.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you believe your child may have cerebral palsy, schedule an appointment with a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy. Sometimes cerebral palsy can be diagnosed at birth. However, in many instances, symptoms present during the first 18 months of life. Cerebral palso doctors typically monitor a child's development during the first few years of life in order to make a definitive diagnosis. Treatments for cerebral palsy include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxers, and surgery to keep arms and legs straight and flexible.

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