What Are the Causes of Hemiplegia?

During the very early stages of a child's life, there are many things that can hinder his healthy development. Hemiplegia is a condition that can strike anytime during the early stages of a child's development, and it remains with that child for the rest of his life.

Identification

• Hemiplegia is a rare condition of the nervous system that usually appears in children prior to the age of 4. The unborn child can develop hemiplegia through various developmental complications, or infections contracted by the mother during the child's development could also bring on the condition.
  It is sometimes referred to as alternating hemiplegia because it can affect alternating sides of the body. A person suffering from hemiplegia experiences temporary bouts with paralysis on one side of the body.
  The episodes can vary in length, and they can also vary in frequency throughout the life of the afflicted child.

Potential

• According to brainandspinalcord.org, it is possible for an unborn child to suffer from a stroke while still developing in the mother's womb. It is also possible for newborn babies to suffer from a stroke as well. These strokes can lead to brain disorders such as hemiplegia.

Types

• Children who experience head injuries are at risk for contracting hemiplegia, as well as children who develop tumors in the brain.
  Many of the causes of hemiplegia are developmental and can appear while the child is still in the womb. It is possible for an unborn child to contract the brain infection known as meningitis, which can be a catalyst for the onset of hemiplegia.
  Children who develop multiple sclerosis early in their development could also run the risk of developing hemiplegia, as well as children with certain types of infant diabetes.

Considerations

• In some cases, the blood vessels and arteries in the brain can develop improperly in an unborn child during pregnancy as part of a developmental condition called arteriovenous malformations. These defective blood vessels can deny the brain the blood it needs during development and during the first few years of life, and this can lead to hemiplegia.

Effects

• In many cases, for a child to experience the effects of hemiplegia, there needs to be something that causes the episode to commence. The triggers can vary, but they usually relate to exposure to low temperatures, emotional stress or even the stress created by bathing.
  While it is possible to limit the attacks a child experiences by reducing his exposure to these potential outside elements, this can also provide a major inconvenience for the daily life of the family.