Description of Cerebral Palsy

Muscle coordination and body movement are affected in cerebral palsy (CP), a group of chronic conditions caused by brain damage before birth, during birth or during infancy. According to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), an estimated 764,000 adults and children in the United States have one or more symptoms of CP.

Identification

• Although movement is affected by CP, there is nothing wrong with the muscles or nerves of people who have the condition. The problem is caused by areas of the brain that are damaged or have not developed normally. Because these areas don't function as they should, the brain is not able to adequately control posture and movement.

Symptoms

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the majority of children who have CP are born with the condition, although it may not be detected for several months or even years. A common sign of CP is ataxia, a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movement. Spasticity, characterized by exaggerated reflexes and stiff muscles, is another common sign. If your child has a problem with spasticity, you may notice that he drags one leg while walking, walks in a crouched position or walks on his toes. Muscles may seem to be either too stiff or too floppy. Other problems may include problems with speech or trouble swallowing. Some children may also be affected by mental retardation, seizures, and vision or hearing problems.

Early Signs

• Although it can be difficult to detect CP in infants, there may be signs that motor skills are not developing normally. A child who has CP may not reach developmental milestones on a typical schedule. Rolling over, sitting, crawling and walking may be delayed. If your baby has low muscle tone, called hypotonia, she may seem too relaxed. Other babies may appear too rigid, due to hypertonia, a condition characterized by increased muscle tone. It is possible for your child to first exhibit signs of hypotonia and then appear hypertonic after a few months. When your child does begin to sit or walk, her posture may look strange or she may seem to favor one side of her body.

Risk Factors

• While there is often no way to prevent CP, there are some factors that increase the chance that a child will develop the condition. Risk factors include low weight at birth, premature birth or an A-B-O or Rh blood type incompatibility between mother and child. CP can also occur because of problems with the placenta during the fetal stage or a failure to grow appropriately during this stage. If the mother contracts certain viruses, such as German measles, during pregnancy, the chance of birth defects can increase. A bacterial infection affecting either the mother or baby can also cause an increase in the likelihood of CP, as can a loss of oxygen during birth.

Management

• Although there is no form of treatment that can reverse the brain damage caused by CP, it is possible to manage the disease to allow maximum mobility and minimize problem areas. Drugs can be used to relax tight muscles and control seizures. Physical and occupational therapy may help with control, while surgery can be used to release particularly tight muscles or correct anatomical problems. If your child has trouble speaking clearly, speech therapy may be recommended. Devices such as walkers, wheelchairs and braces may help a person with CP lead a more independent life.