Cerebral palsy - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Daignosis

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CEREBRAL PALSY

• SYMPTOMS CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT

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SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• Weakened muscles
• Highly spastic muscles
• Inability to sit upright comfortably
• Muscles move with shakes and jerks
• Inability to change positions easily
• Lack of sucking reflexes
• Ongoing tremors
• Exaggerated drooling
• Diminished tongue control
• Lack of control of facial muscles
• Low fine motor skills (difficulty drawing,
  coloring, and holding utensils)

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CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• Certain infections during pregnancy
  like rubella (German measles), can cause brain
  damage further leading to cerebral palsy.
• Insufficient supply of oxygen to the foetus which
  may be caused due to improper functioning of
  placenta.
• Premature delivery may also lead to this
  condition, especially when the infant is less
  than 3 pounds.
• Lack of oxygen or asphyxia during labour or
  delivery.
• Incompatibility between the Rh factor between
  mother and her foetus.
• Severe jaundice if not taken care of in time, may
  pose high risk of permanent brain damage further
  resulting in cerebral palsy.
• Some children may acquire cerebral palsy after
  birth due to brain infections such
  as meningitis and due to some head injury.

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DAIGNOSIS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• Regular assessment and tests of child development
  are conducted so as to find the developmental
  issues. Various comparisons and calculations
  depending upon the child's medical history are
  made so as to rule out the possibilities of other
  disorder or illness. The evaluation of child's
  strengths, weaknesses, and abilities is done so
  that accurate diagnosis can be made.
• Children with cerebral palsy have decreased
  intelligence
• Cerebral palsy is a prgressive neuromuscular
  disease
• Children with cerebral palsy are wheelchair
  dependent
• Children with cerebral palsy may have
  difficulties with speech

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TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• Cerebral Palsy cannot be cured, but with the help
  of various treatment and therapies, it can help
  improve the child's capabilities. In many
  children the improvement can be as good as a
  normal person. To get the best results from the
  treatment, it should be started as soon as it is
  diagnosed.  Following are some of the treatments
  which may help in improving this condition. 
• Drugs, such as benzodiazepines, intrathecal
  phenol/baclofen and baclofen, to control
  seizures, muscle spasms and alleviate pain
• Surgery to rectify anatomical abnormalities
  and/or relax taut muscles
• Botox, to address contracting muscles

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CONTINUE- TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• To improve everyday skills like talking,
  understanding, learning, and developing social
  and interpersonal skills, few therapies are very
  commonly used, and are quite effective. 
• Speech therapy to control the mouth and jaw
  muscles and improve communication
• Physical therapy to improve gait and volitional
  movement
• Occupational therapy to adapt to limitations and
  live independently
• Medical intervention via communication aids such
  as computers fitted with voice synthesizers
• Standing frames to help reduce spasticity
• Neuro-cognitive therapy and patterning

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PREVENTION- TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• Most cases of Cerebral Palsy can't be prevented,
  but be healthy when you're pregnant.
• Good antenatal care
• Fetal monitoring
• Early C section
• Use of steroids to maturity of fetus
• Neonatal Resuscitation.
• Make sure you are vaccinated
• Take care of yourself
• Seek early and continuous prenatal care
• Practice good child safety