Cerebral Palsy & CPAP Use in Children

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airwave Pressure) treatment is commonly used to treat sleep apnea, a condition involving breathing difficulties at night. CPAP can also be used for premature babies to help prevent cerebral palsy (CP), according to the March of Dimes.

Premature Birth

• Premature babies are more vulnerable to health risks. Babies born in the first 36 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature. Cerebral palsy is amongst the conditions premature babies are more vulnerable to, says the March of Dimes.

Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that effects body movement and muscle coordination. There is no cure for CP so preventing the condition from developing is very important.

Cause

• CP is caused by brain damage. Severe bleeding in the brain of a premature baby often leads to the brain damage that results in cerebral palsy.

Considerations

• Premature babies are three times more likely than full term babies to develop cerebral palsy. CPAP helps to prevent the development of CP by aiding the baby in breathing.

CPAP

• To use CPAP treatment for a premature baby doctors put tubes in the nose of the child. CPAP is beneficial for babies because the treatment aids the child with breathing instead of doing the breathing for the child.