Cerebral Palsy.

What is cerebral palsy? 

Cerebral palsy is a impairment of muscular function which is usually caused by an injury to the brain either before, during or after birth. Cerebral palsy is not progressive therefore the injury to the brain does not change however the effects may change for better or worse.

Possible Causes of cerebral palsy...

• Infection in early pregnancy
• A difficult or premature birth
• Bleeding in the babies brain
• abnormal brain development in the baby

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, which normally occurs before, during or soon after birth. 

Symptoms...

• Epilepsy
• learning difficulties
• incontinence
• visual impairments
• difficulties speaking or understanding other people speak
• delayed growth
• curved spine
• drooling

How common is cerebral palsy?

1 in every 400 children in the UK are diagnosed with this condition. Approx 1,800 babies are affected by cerebral palsy a year.

Cure...

Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition. It will not get worse as the child gets older, however it can put a great deal of strain on the body, which can cause problems in later life.

There is no cure for this condition, but a range of treatments can help relieve symptoms and increase a child's sense of independence and self-esteem. These include; physiotherapy, occupational therapy and medication to relieve muscle stiffness and spasms.

3 Main types of cerebral palsy...

Spastic Cerebral palsy (bilateral spasticity) -  Is the type of cerebral palsy where muscle tightness is either the dominant or exclusive impairment present, and is the most common type of cerebral palsy.

Dyskinetic/Athetoid cerebral palsy - Is a movement disorder where damage is taken to the brain in the form of lesions during brain development. Physical therapy and drug therapies are used to treat the symptoms

Ataxic cerebral palsy -  Patients experience problems in coordinating muscle movements and balance. Ataxic cerebral palsy is known to decrease muscle tone.