| Cerebral palsy is not a disease it is a | | | | Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the |
| condition. Cerebral refers to the brain | | | | ability to control muscles, leading to |
| and palsy means weakness or lack of | | | | involuntary and uncontrolled movements |
| muscle control. In addition, cerebral | | | | in the affected muscles |
| palsy is not a single problem, but a | | | | Spastic cerebral palsy is the most |
| complex disease in which virtually all | | | | common type of cerebral palsy. |
| brain cell types could need repair. | | | | Approximately 60 percent of all |
| Approximately 90 percent of all cases | | | | individuals with cerebral palsy have |
| are caused by brain injury during the | | | | spasticity that is characterized by |
| prenatal period (before labor begins). | | | | tense, contracted muscles. Doctors will |
| This condition is caused by damage to | | | | often describe which type of spastic |
| brain cells that control the movement of | | | | cerebral palsy a patient has, based on |
| muscles. A person with cerebral palsy | | | | which limbs are affected. |
| can have mild to severe physical | | | | Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the sense |
| disabilities. There are varying degrees | | | | of balance and depth perception. |
| of therapies depending on the degree of | | | | Children who suffer from ataxic cerebral |
| condition. However, just because a | | | | palsy can be described as being very |
| person has cerebral palsy, it does not | | | | shaky and unsteady. |
| mean they will have other disabilities. | | | | Symptoms |
| Causes and Risks | | | | Children with cerebral palsy may develop |
| Recent studies suggest that cerebral | | | | eating difficulties, bladder and bowel |
| palsy is mostly due to factors affecting | | | | control problems, breathing problems, |
| the brain before birth. In about 70 | | | | and learning disabilities. Children |
| percent of cases, cerebral palsy results | | | | with cerebral palsy have limited use of |
| from events occurring before birth that | | | | their arms due to the dysfunction of |
| can disrupt normal development of the | | | | their neural motor control and stiffness |
| brain. This condition is caused by an | | | | of their joints. Dysarthria is common |
| injury to the brain during pregnancy, at | | | | in people with cerebral palsy, due to |
| birth, or shortly after birth. The | | | | problems involving the muscles that |
| symptoms are usually not noticeable at | | | | control speech and mastication. |
| birth. It was previously assumed that | | | | Although Cerebral Palsy is a permanent |
| it was caused by fetal distress, such as | | | | condition, as a person learns and grows |
| a lack of oxygen, during the birth | | | | and practices skills, more control over |
| process. However, lack of oxygen at | | | | movement may be achieved. |
| birth has not been shown to be the major | | | | Treatment |
| cause. The motor deficits of babies are | | | | Treatment of cerebral palsy requires a |
| usually unrecognizable before 4-6 months | | | | team of specialists to help maximize and |
| of age. | | | | coordinate movement, minimize discomfort |
| A preemie's risk of cerebral palsy is | | | | and pain, and prevent long-term |
| much higher than that of a full-term | | | | complications. Because the symptoms of |
| baby. In addition, exposure to herpes | | | | cerebral palsy can cause behavioral and |
| group B viruses was associated with a | | | | emotional problems, many children |
| two-fold increase in risk. Reproductive | | | | benefit from counseling or behavior |
| urinary tract infections also may | | | | therapy. It is also not "curable" in |
| increase the risk in a preterm delivery. | | | | the accepted sense, although education, |
| Preemie's are already at risk for | | | | therapy, and applied technology can help |
| cerebral palsy and account for | | | | persons with cerebral palsy lead |
| approximately one-third of the cases. | | | | productive lives. |
| Adequate prenatal care may reduce the | | | | The goal of drug therapy is to reduce |
| risk of the unborn baby. | | | | the effects and prevent complications. |
| Viral infections, lead poisoning, or | | | | Physical, speech, and occupational |
| head injuries that occur early in life | | | | therapy along with counseling today are |
| can result in acquired cerebral palsy, a | | | | employed to help people lead healthy, |
| less common condition. Spastic cerebral | | | | productive lives. Most children with |
| palsy, the most common type, is a | | | | cerebral palsy benefit from early and |
| condition in which there is too much | | | | regular physical and occupational |
| muscle tone. However, cerebral palsy is | | | | therapy. In addition, education, |
| NOT a progressive condition, meaning | | | | therapy, and applied technology can help |
| that it does not worsen over time. | | | | persons with cerebral palsy lead |
| Cerebral palsy generally is a | | | | productive lives. |
| long-lasting (chronic) condition. | | | | Conclusion |
| There are roughly 8,000 infants born | | | | With early and ongoing treatment, the |
| with this condition each year and some | | | | disabilities associated with cerebral |
| 1,200-1,500 preschool age children | | | | palsy can be reduced. People living |
| acquire cerebral palsy annually. Most | | | | with cerebral palsy are usually able to |
| children are diagnosed by age 5. | | | | live independently in the community, |
| Despite significant improvements in | | | | with or without assistance. With |
| obstetric and neonatal care in recent | | | | support and treatment, though, many |
| years, the incidence of cerebral palsy | | | | people with cerebral palsy can live |
| has not decreased. | | | | healthy, happy lives. |
| Types | | | | |