Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of related but unique symptoms that encompass abnormal motor function or posture. Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the developing brain in the areas that control movement, balance and posture. This damage happens to the baby mostly during pregnancy, but it may also occur during or shortly after birth.

Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed in a child’s first two years of life and displays as floppy or stiff muscles or involuntary muscle movement or an infant not reaching his/her milestone. It is often accompanied by other deficits that can include impaired cognition, vision, hearing, speech, eating and learning.

The word ‘cerebral’ refers to the brain’s cerebrum, which is the part of the brain that regulates motor function, while ‘palsy’ describes the lack of muscle control.

Causes include

• Reduced blood and oxygen supply to the brain (asphyxia)
• An infection caught by the mother during pregnancy eg rubella, chickenpox, toxoplasmosis
• A stroke that involves bleeding in the baby’s brain or the blood supply to their brain is obstructed
• Head injuries sustained during birth or within the first few years of infancy
• Ingestion of toxins or drugs during pregnancy
• Genetic disorders
• Something goes wrong during a child’s birth.

There are four main types of cerebral palsy.

1. Spastic – affects stiffness and difficult movements
2. Dyskinetic (athetoid) – affects uncontrolled movement
3. Ataxic – affects balance and coordination difficulties
4. Mixed – includes a range of the above characteristics.

• Being born prematurely (before the 37^th week of pregnancy). Babies born at 32 weeks or earlier are at a particularly high risk. Up to 50 percent of children with cerebral palsy were born preterm.
• Having a low birthweight
• Prematurity and low birth weight
• Some pregnancy complications
• An infection caught by the mother during pregnancy
• Prolonged loss of oxygen during pregnancy or childbirth, or severe jaundice after birth
• Injury or bleeding in the baby’s brain
• Mutations in the genes that affect the brain’s development
• Being a twin, triplet or other multiple birth.

• Movement and walking disabilities
• Speech difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Cognitive impairments
• Hearing or vision loss
• Epilepsy
• Emotional and behavioural challenges
• Spinal deformities
• Joint problems.

These terms are used in cerebral palsy to describe the part of the body affected.

• Hemiplegia – one side of the body is affected
• Diplegia – two limbs are affected
• Monoplegia – one limb is affected
• Quadriplegia – all four limbs (and usually the whole body) are affected.

Currently there is no cure for cerebral palsy. A child’s quality of life can improve through

• Therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Treatment that may involve surgery
• Equipment to aid mobility and communication.