Cerebral Palsy

 Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy affects 1.5 to 4 per 1,000 live births globally, and in India, its prevalence is recorded from 2.08 to 3.88 per 1,000 live births. Further, it is found that around 15%-20% of disabled children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The prevalence of cerebral palsy in India closely aligns with the global prevalence rates, which calls in for enhanced resources and policies to prevent this neurodevelopmental disorder.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that partially or fully damages those areas in the brain that are responsible to control the body movements. These movements relate to muscle movements. This is the reason why babies with cerebral palsy face difficulty when they crawl, roll-over, sit, or walk. Cerebral Palsy symptoms are mostly seen in infants and young children. In some cases, children are born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy may develop during fetus development due to various reasons like, insufficient oxygen supply to fetus, premature birth, cerebral malformations, genetic factors, etc.

What causes Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy happens because of damage or problems in a baby's brain while it is still growing. This can occur before birth, during delivery, or shortly after birth. Here are some common causes, explained simply:

Before Birth: Sometimes, the brain doesn’t develop properly due to infections (like rubella or chickenpox in the mother), a lack of oxygen, or genetic issues.

During Birth: If the baby doesn’t get enough oxygen or faces complications, the brain can get injured. For example, being born too early or having a very low birth weight increases the risk.

After Birth: In rare cases, a brain injury from infections, lack of oxygen, or serious head injuries after birth can lead to CP.

These events affect how the brain controls movement. It’s important to note, however, that many times, doctors can’t find an exact reason. It’s often a mix of several factors working together.

What are the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy symptoms vary from person to person, depending on how much and which part of the brain is affected. These symptoms usually involve movement, coordination, and posture, appearing in early childhood and remaining throughout life.

Here are some common symptoms:

Movement and Muscle Control Issues: People with CP may have stiff or floppy muscles, making movements jerky or uncoordinated. They might also have difficulty controlling their arms, legs, or hands for tasks like walking or writing.

Delayed Developmental Milestones: Children with CP may take longer to reach milestones, such as sitting, crawling, or walking. Their movements might seem slower or less controlled compared to other children of the same age.

Difficulty with Balance and Coordination: Many people with CP struggle to maintain balance. This can make standing, walking, or even sitting up without support challenging in some cases.

Involuntary Movements: Some individuals experience uncontrollable movements, such as tremors or twitches, that interfere with daily activities like eating or dressing.

Problems with Speech and Swallowing: CP can affect the muscles used for speaking and eating, leading to slurred speech or difficulty swallowing food and liquids.

How to treat Cerebral Palsy?

The treatment of cerebral palsy varies from person-to-person, including severity, symptoms, and the part of the body that is affected. It may be noted that the initial damage in the brain due to cerebral palsy is irreversible, but proactive treatment measures and early intervention can be helpful in improving the function of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

It is always good that the families coordinate with their healthcare providers to develop individual care and treatment programs during the school years.

Common types of treatment for cerebral palsy include:

Physical Therapy: This type of cerebral palsy treatment is a designed therapy that usually begins as soon as the child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Physical therapy aims to treat that part of the body that is affected with regular exercises to improve balance and muscle strength. Here, the child is helped by the physical therapist to learn the skills of walking, sitting, using a wheelchair, and other necessary movements.

Occupational Therapy. This therapy is another type of cerebral palsy treatment that helps a child in preparing for everyday activities. This therapy creates an awareness about dressing up before attending any events like going to school, parties, or social gatherings.

Speech and Language Therapy: Speech and language therapy is an important part of treatment for children with cerebral palsy who face difficulty in speaking or eating. A speech therapist works with children to help them improve their ability to communicate, eat, and drink more easily.

Here’s how speech and language therapy can help:

Improving Speech: Many children with cerebral palsy have trouble speaking clearly. A speech therapist can teach them how to move their mouth and tongue in the right way to make sounds and words easier to say. This can help the child speak more clearly and be better understood by others.

Helping with Swallowing: Some children with cerebral palsy have problems with swallowing food and liquids. A speech therapist can show them different techniques to make swallowing safer and easier, reducing the risk of choking and making mealtime more comfortable.

Alternative Communication Methods: For children who cannot speak clearly or at all, a speech therapist can help teach other ways to communicate. This might include using sign language, symbols, or a special communication device that helps the child express themselves.

Speech and language therapy is an important part of supporting children with cerebral palsy, helping them to communicate, eat, and interact more easily with others.

Orthotic Devices and Assistive Technologies for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with movement and posture, but there are many devices and tools available to help improve their mobility and daily life. These devices are designed to support and assist the child in moving more easily, comfortably, and independently.

Orthotic Devices: Orthotic devices are tools like braces, splints, and casts that are used to support the affected limbs and improve movement. These devices are specifically designed to help children with cerebral palsy in different ways:

Braces: Braces are worn on the legs or arms to help support joints and muscles that are weak or stiff. They can help the child stand or walk with more stability.

Splints: Splints are used to keep the joints in a specific position. They can help manage muscle stiffness or weakness, preventing the muscles from getting too tight and improving the child’s range of motion.

Casts: Similar to splints, casts are used to protect and support broken bones, but in the case of cerebral palsy, they may be used to help improve or maintain joint position.

Assistive Devices and Technologies: 

There are various assistive devices and technologies that can improve a child’s ability to move and communicate like wheelchairs, rolling walkers, powered scooters,velcro-fastened shoes, etc. These devices and technologies are boon to children with cerebral palsy as they make their life easy and more manageable. 

Conclusion

Identifying cerebral palsy symptoms and seeking the right treatment is the wisest decision that families need to take for their children. Get in tou

ch with the best hospital and specialists for effective treatment for cerebral palsy.