What Is Cerebral Palsy?

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy causes the lack of power to control the motor functions due to infection, such as meningitis, bleeding in the brain or lack of oxygen to the brain; usually affecting children, occurring during or shortly after birth, this can also develop in adults that have prolonged periods of oxygen loss to the brain caused either from an accident or illness.

Diagnosing cerebral palsy is often delayed since the brains of very young children often repair by itself, sometimes the parts of the brain unaffected will take over the functions of the damaged areas. In severe cases this does not happen. Some things to look for when diagnosing cerebral palsy is the lack of alertness in the child, extreme fussiness, high pitched crying, problems sucking and swallowing, trembling of arms and legs, leaning to one side continually, staring spells, body twitching and abnormal reflexes. Most physicians usually use broader terms to diagnose this condition rather than calling it cerebral palsy, such as (Zisook, n.d.):

1. Developmental delay: meaning the child is not progressing at the same rate of the normal standard for children of the same age grouping like rolling over, sitting up, crawling or holding items in their hands.

2. Motor disability: long term problems with movement, such as learning to walk, running, handwriting, crawling, sitting, or holding items.

3. Central nervous system dysfunction: improper functioning of the brain.

4. Static encephalopathy: abnormal brain activity that does not get worse.

5. Neuromotor dysfunction: delay of the nervous system in maturing.

There are three main types of cerebral palsy but any or all of a combination can occur which is commonly known as mixed cerebral palsy. These types are known as:

1. Spastic: this type is more common with fifty percent being in this category. This is the stiffness in the muscles. This can range from being mild to severe where the whole body is affected. If only one limb is affected this is called Spastic Monoplegia, usually this is in the arm. If both arms or both legs are affected, this is called Spastic Diplegia, causing the legs to turn inward. If the muscles are stiff on both sides of the body, this is called Spastic Double Hemiplegia. Spastic Quadriplegia affects the entire body and the individual is usually retarded, have trouble eating, speaking and swallowing. This is the more severe type of Spastic Cerebral Palsy (Cerebral Palsy India, 2004).

2. Athetoid: this is high or low muscle tone, when the muscles are either too weak or too tight. Low muscle tone causes difficulty in standing, walking or sitting; this type of cerebral palsy affects the entire body. Most children with Athetoid CP are most often smarter than the average child, making this condition extremely difficult since the child has a bright mind but cannot control their body (Cerebral Palsy India, 2004).

3. Ataxic: this is caused by cerebellum damage, which is at the base of the brain. The cerebellum controls the balance and coordination of a person. This condition affects the four limbs and the trunk of the body. A person with this condition will usually walk with unsteadiness and have poor depth perception (Cerebral Palsies, 2005).

Risk factors associated with cerebral palsy are many, these can be related to the parents ages, ethnicity, whether the child was a first, fifth or later in the family, is one of a twin, low birth weight, premature birth, incompatibility between mother and infant in blood types, infection in early pregnancy, and micro-organisms attacking the nervous system of the infant. One or a combination of any of these factors can result in an increased risk factor of developing cerebral palsy (Cerebral Palsies, 2005).

There are many forms of therapy that can be utilized in treatment of this condition, usually this is done by a specialized therapist, but parents, grandparents and siblings can also be trained in doing these types of therapy for their individual child's needs. Physical therapy works on the large muscles of the body such as the legs, arms and abdomen. This type of therapy usually helps the child learn to walk, stand by themselves, go up and down stairs safely and use a wheelchair. Occupational therapy works on the small muscles such as the hands, feet, fingers, toes, and face. This