• What is Cerebral Palsy?
• Is there any treatment?
• What is the prognosis?
• What research is being done?
• Organizations
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to
describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear
in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The
disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the
brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and posture.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty with fine motor tasks (such as
writing or using scissors), difficulty maintaining balance or walking,
involuntary movements. The symptoms differ from person to person and may change
over time. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical
disorders, including seizures or mental impairment, but cerebral palsy does not
always cause profound handicap. Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear
before 3 years of age. Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach
developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or
walk. Cerebral palsy may be congenital or acquired after birth. Several of the
causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are
preventable or treatable: head injury, jaundice, Rh incompatibility, and rubella
(German measles). Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by testing motor skills and
reflexes, looking into medical history, and employing a variety of specialized
tests. Although its symptoms may change over time, cerebral palsy by definition
is not progressive, so if a patient shows increased impairment, the problem may
be something other than cerebral palsy.
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Is there any treatment?
There is no standard therapy that works for all
patients. Drugs can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms, special
braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Surgery, mechanical aids to help
overcome impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, and
physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy may be employed.
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What is the prognosis?
At this time, cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but
due to medical research, many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their
neurological problems are properly managed.
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What research is being done?
Research suggests that cerebral palsy results
from incorrect cell development early in pregnancy. For example, a group of
researchers has recently observed that more than one-third of children with
cerebral palsy also have missing enamel on certain teeth. Scientists are also
examining other events-such as bleeding in the brain, seizures, and breathing
and circulation problems-that threaten the brain of a newborn baby. Some
investigators are conducting studies to learn whether certain drugs can help
prevent neonatal stroke, and other investigators are examining the causes of low
birth-weight. Other scientists are exploring how brain insults (like brain
damage from a shortage of oxygen or blood flow, bleeding in the brain, and
seizures) can cause the abnormal release of brain chemicals and trigger brain
disease.
This information provided by
the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
