Cerebral Palsy

CerebralPalsy
What is it?
*Poor muscle control, spasticity, paralysis
-neurological deficiencies from brain injury during pregnancy, birth, after birth,
before 5 years of age
*4 Types
-Spastic- muscles stiff, weak, poorly developed, seizures- 70% of children
-Choreoathetoid- muscles spontaneously move slowly no normal control,
jerky, abrupt, strong emotions makes worse, sleep alleviates- 20%
-Ataxic- poor coordination, shaky movements, trembling,
unsteady walk, legs widely spaced- 10%
-Mixed- 2 of the above types, usually spastic, choreoathetoid
Signs and Symptoms:
*Affects 1 or 2 of every 1,000 infants
-10 times more common in premature infants, small infants
-blood vessels of the brain are poorly developed, bleed easily, can’t supply
needed oxygen to the brain
*High blood levels of bilirubin can lead to kernicterus, brain damage
*During first year of life severe illness can cause-
-sepsis, meningitis, trauma, severe dehydration, brain injury and result in cerebral palsy
Diagnosis:
*Cerebral Palsy is not a disease
-is not progressive
*Cause is unknown
-10 to 15% are due to birth injuries- poor oxygen supply to the brain during,
before, immediately after birth
*Speech is difficult to understand, below normal intelligence or
severe mental retardation- 40% normal or near normal intelligence
What can I do?
*See a Physician