| Understanding cerebral palsy is the first step towards | | | | arise. |
| preventing it. Cerebral palsy is a condition when | | | | Pregnant women are tested routinely for the Rh |
| muscle movements and posture is affected (palsy) | | | | factor and, if Rh negative, they can be immunized |
| due to brain damage (cerebral). Unlike chicken pox or | | | | within 72 hours after the birth (or after the |
| measles, cerebral palsy is not a disease but it is a | | | | pregnancy terminates) and thereby prevent adverse |
| condition. It is not communicable and although there is | | | | consequences of blood incompatibility in a subsequent |
| no cure it is not progressive, as brain damage does | | | | pregnancy. If the woman has not been immunized, |
| not increase over time. | | | | the consequences of blood incompatibility in the |
| Around a hundred and fifty years ago an English | | | | newborn can be prevented by exchange transfusion |
| surgeon named William Little first documented and | | | | in the baby. If a newborn baby has jaundice, this can |
| collected information on a peculiar condition that | | | | be treated with phytotherapy (light therapy), which |
| affected children in their early years leading to stiff, | | | | breaks down the bilirubin around the brain. |
| spastic muscles in their legs and to a lesser degree | | | | Immunization against measles for all women who |
| their arms. Little found that this condition did not | | | | have not had measles and are susceptible to |
| worsen over the years nor did it improve. This | | | | becoming pregnant is an essential preventative |
| condition, known for many years as Little's disease, is | | | | measure. |
| today known as spastic diplegia, one of several | | | | Other preventative programs as well as facts about |
| types of cerebral palsy. | | | | cerebral palsy are directed towards the prevention of |
| Cerebral palsy is a very diverse and complex | | | | prematurity; reducing the exposure of pregnant |
| condition with different people being affected | | | | women to virus and other infections; recognition and |
| differently. Each specific case is, therefore, as | | | | treatment of bacterial infection of the maternal |
| individualistic as the individual patients themselves. It is | | | | reproductive and urinary tracts; avoiding unnecessary |
| characterized by an inability to fully control motor | | | | exposure to X-rays, drugs and medications; and the |
| function, particularly muscle control and coordination. | | | | control of diabetes, anemia and nutritional deficiencies. |
| Depending on which areas of the brain have been | | | | Of great importance is optimal well being prior to |
| damaged, one or more of the following may occur: | | | | conception, adequate prenatal care, and protecting |
| muscle tightness or spasticity; involuntary movement; | | | | infants from accidents or injury. |
| disturbance in gait (walk) or mobility, difficulty in | | | | Although incurable, the disorder can be treated and |
| swallowing and problems with speech. In addition, the | | | | managed to provide relief to patients. With doctors |
| following symptoms are sometimes associated with | | | | accumulating new knowledge and information about |
| cerebral palsy: abnormal sensation and perception; | | | | the disorder every passing day, new techniques and |
| impairment of sight, hearing or speech; seizures; and | | | | treatments are coming to the fore. Botox, or |
| or mental retardation. Other problems that may arise | | | | botulism toxin, is the newest treatment to show high |
| are difficulties in feeding, bladder and bowel control, | | | | success rates. The Botulism toxin relieves cerebral |
| problems with breathing because of postural | | | | palsy symptoms by reducing tightness in muscles, |
| difficulties, skin disorders because of pressure sores, | | | | which allows better control of movement, and |
| and learning disabilities. | | | | increasing the stretch of muscles, reducing the risk of |
| Despite the pain and suffering that cerebral palsy | | | | permanent muscle contractions. In recent tests, |
| patients and their caregivers have to bear, the most | | | | some children were even able to write with a pen or |
| heartening thing about this disorder is that today | | | | use a computer touch screen to communicate for |
| there are many measures that can be taken to try | | | | the first time. The continuous finding of new |
| and prevent its onset. Tests and prenatal care can | | | | information on cerebral palsy leaves the door wide |
| prepare a woman and alert her when possible causes | | | | open for the future of cerebral palsy treatment. |