Cerebral palsy is a group of muscle and nerve disorders.
It does not get worse with time.
Some common forms include:
Ataxia
Poor coordination
Difficulty balancing
Difficulty walking or walking with a limp
Difficulty with small movements, such as writing
Difficulty being able to tell how close or far away things are
Spasticity
Stiffness, tightness, difficulty moving
Over-reaction of the muscles when moving
Difficulty controlling the mouth and tongue
Dyskinetic
Muscles are both too tight and too loose
Uncontrollable movements that may be fast and jerky or slow and wave-like
May have trouble sitting and walking
Difficulty controlling the face and tongue
What causes it? It can be caused by brain damage before birth, during birth, or shortly
after birth within the first 3 to 5 years of life. Many causes are not known.
Some possible causes include:
Lack of oxygen
Premature birth
Low birth weight
Being exposed to radiation
Genetic disorder
Head injuries
Drug use during pregnancy
Infection during pregnancy
Baby's blood is not the same as his mother's blood
Brain infections
Other problems with the brain system
Who can get it?
Babies who are born prematurely (too early) are more likely to be affected
by cerebral palsy than babies who go full-term.
What are signs that my child has cerebral palsy?
Baby does not learn to sit or walk as soon as other children his age.
Baby does not learn how to move as soon or as well as other children his
age.
Muscles may be too stiff or too loose.
Child has unusual reflexes. His knee may jerk more than is normal or he
may not lose reflexes that babies have but normally outgrow.
Child may seem to be left-handed or right-handed as early as six months
old. Babies do not normally show these signs until about 12 months old.
The child may be easily distracted.
Some children repeat sounds or movements.
Child also may have problems seeing, hearing, or speaking.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from child to child. Some children have more severe symptoms
than others.
Early treatment is best. If you think your child has symptoms of cerebral
palsy, take him to the doctor as soon as you notice them.
The child will need care from his family and many different professionals.
The team may include parents, doctors, therapists, psychologists, teachers,
nurses, and social workers.
The team will work together to help your child be as independent as possible.
They will help him learn as much as he can, move as best he can, and communicate
as best he can.
Talk to your doctors and teachers about what education plan is best for
your child. Some children do well in regular classrooms while other children
do best in classrooms with a smaller number of students and more individual
care.
Using braces or a wheelchair may help the child move.
Computers help many children learn or communicate better.
Medicine or surgery may help.
How can families cope?
Families of children with cerebral palsy also need support. Parents and
relatives may be angry their child has cerebral palsy or they may feel guilty
or overwhelmed.
Talking to a social worker or family therapist may help.
Many parents find comfort in support groups.
Brothers and sisters of children with cerebral palsy also need extra support.
If the child needs care the family can't provide, children with cerebral
palsy can live in group homes or arrangements can be made for home care.
How long does it last?
It will last all of the child's life but it will not get worse.
Can it be prevented?
Women should begin getting regular medical care as soon as they know they
are pregnant.
Pregnant women should avoid the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Babies should always ride in car seats to prevent
head injuries.
Children riding bikes, skateboards, etc. should wear helmets.
Check with the doctor to make sure your baby has all of his immunizations.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if your child does not learn to sit by 9 months old or
learn to walk by 15 months.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment
or condition.
Quick Answers
Cerebral palsy is a group of muscle and nerve disorders.
It can be caused by brain damage before birth, during birth, or shortly
after birth within the first 3 to 5 years of life. Many causes are not known.
Babies who are born prematurely (too early) are at higher risk of getting
cerebral palsy than other babies.
A sign that a child could have cerebral palsy is if he does not learn how
to move as soon or as well as other children his age.
Some children have more severe symptoms than others do.
It is not contagious.
The child will need care from his family and many different professionals.
The team may include parents, doctors, therapists, psychologists, teachers,
nurses, and social workers.
Families of children with cerebral palsy also need support.
Cerebral palsy will last all of the child's life but it will not get worse.
To help prevent cases of cerebral palsy, women should begin getting regular
medical care as soon as they know they are pregnant.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's treatment
or condition.
References
Bachrach, S. When Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy. KidsHealth. 2001 June (cited
2002 March 22). URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/cerebral_palsy.html
Center for Disabilities and Development. Children with Cerebral Palsy. (cited
2002 March 22). URL: http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/uhs/accp.cfm
March of Dimes. Cerebral Palsy. 1999 (cited 2002 March 22). URL: http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary/334_599.htm
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