Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral Palsy

If the part of the brain that controls the muscles is damaged while the brain is growing, cerebral palsy can result.

Therefore, cerebral palsy is not just one specific condition. It is used to refer to a large group of problems that can affect muscles, resulting in problems with body movement (motor disorders).

Cerebral palsy can lead to weakness and lack of co-ordination of the muscles. In some people, the condition results in the person simply being clumsy. Others are more severely affected and cannot walk.

What are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms can be confusing and there is some debate about the age of onset of symptoms. Some think the onset of symptoms must be before the age of two to be considered cerebral palsy, while others think age five is the cut-off point.

There are a number of things you can look out for:

• A baby who is over two-months old and feels stiff or floppy, arches their back or stretches out their neck when you hold them.
• A delay in the appearance of developmental milestones within the first two years, for example being able to sit up without support by around 6-months-old and being able to walk by around 14-months-old. (Remember, different children develop at different stages, therefore these ages are estimates. However, if you are worried that your child is not developing the way they should, visit your doctor for ease of mind.)
• You may notice that your child only ever uses one hand to reach for things or uses only one side of their body when crawling.
• Many infants with cerebral palsy have low muscle tone. This is usually noticeable before other problems, such as movement, become apparent.

What are the Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Often the exact cause is unknown. However, it is known that anything that damages the brain while it is growing can lead to cerebral palsy. Therefore, the risk of developing this condition increases if a pregnant woman smokes, drinks alcohol to excess, has diabetes or contracts rubella (German measles).

Premature babies who experience complications are more likely to develop it than full-term babies.

Traditional Medical Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

There is no single test for cerebral palsy. A diagnosis is usually made only after the child has been carefully observed and certain tests have been carried out. Tests may include a neurological exam in which things like posture and reflexes are examined.