Thousands of individuals have cerebral palsy, so it's understandable that we'd want to know exactly what causes the disorder. Cerebral palsy doesn't just occur in children, but adults can also have it. Patients with cerebral palsy can often lead normal lives. However, symptoms could become worse if appropriate treatment isn't administered. Let's talk about the causes of cerebral palsy.
Although there isn't an exact cause to this date that could explain cerebral palsy, there are several theories and risk factors associated with cerebral palsy. Basically, cerebral palsy is said to possibly come from genetic and non-genetic factors. It is also said that there are controllable variables and others that aren't, effects from culture and exchange between cultures, concealed and evident influences and a combination of all the factors just mentioned connected to the development of cerebral palsy. The major possible causes of cerebral palsy include genetic disorders, alcohol, jaundice, malnutrition, low birth weight and oxygen shortage.
There are some risk factors that could contribute to the development of cerebral palsy. Take note though that these are risk factors, and not a sign that one does have cerebral palsy. Mothers who are 40 years onwards, mothers who are 20 years onwards, fathers 20 years/under and individuals of African-American ethnicity have an increased chance of developing cerebral palsy. Children also have risk factors for developing cerebral palsy. The first child, a child born fifth or later in the family, children with low birth weight, premature babies and one of a pair of twins are more likely to have cerebral palsy.
There are even more risk factors associated with cerebral palsy. These include ABO blood type incompatibility between infant and mother, an attack against the central nervous system of a baby by microorganisms and German measles during early pregnancy. Having a risk factor does not mean that you have cerebral palsy. However, since you have a higher chance of having it, it is best to consult a health care professional for more information and a proper diagnosis.
There are some possible causes of cerebral palsy in children. Injury such as asphyxia can cause damage to the brain and may therefore cause cerebral palsy. A child can choke on an object, suffer from poisoning, drown, fall in a vehicle accident, become severely infected and suffer from physical abuse. All these can contribute to cerebral palsy and other problems such as hearing loss to retardation. The possible causes of cerebral palsy in adults are similar. Damage to the brain is considered a factor in the development of cerebral palsy in adults.
Although the exact cause of cerebral palsy is still unknown, there are several ways to treat symptoms. Cerebral palsy isn't a progressive disorder in which the brain damage worsens over time. However, the symptoms are the ones that might get worse due to wear and tear of the entire body. When it comes to treating cerebral palsy, a lot of support for the patient is needed. The possible causes of cerebral palsy will usually be discussed before a team of health care specialists is assigned to help the patient gain optimum results from treatment.
Causes Of Cerebral Palsy
What Is Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a non progressive neuromuscular disorder causing mild to severe disabilities throughout life.This condition is manifested as a group of persisting qualitative motor disorders which appear in young children due to damage to the brain during delivery or due to some pathological conditions in the intrauterine life.The neuroligical problems are multiple but non progressive in nature.Approximately 2 per 100 live birth is having this problem.This disease is having no hereditary tendency.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
1.Injury to the brain during delivery.
2.As a complication of forceps delivery.
3.Lack of oxygen supply to the baby during delivery.
4.Infections during delivery.
Signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
The signs and symptoms may not be similar in all babies affected.Depending upon the damage to the brain there may be mild to severe lesions.
1.Mild cases - 20% children will have mild disability.
2.Moderate cases - 50% cases are having moderate disability.
The affected children require self help for assisting their impaired ambulation capacity.
3.Severe cases -About 30% of the affected children are totally incapacited and bedridden.
They always need care from others.
Abnormal findings of Cerebral palsy
1,Abnormal neonatal reflexes.
2,Stiffness of all muscles with awkward motion.
3,Extention of extremities on vertical suspension of the infant.
4,Scissoring of the lower limbs due to spasm of the adductor muscles of the thigh.
5,In severe cases the back bend backwards like and arch.
6,May have total or partial paralysis.
7,Arrest of neurological and behavioral developement.
8,Swallowing may be difficult in some cases.
9,Drooling of saliva.
10,Mild to severe mental retardations.
11,Abnormal movements are seen in some cases.
12,Tremors with typical movements.
13,If cerebellum is affected there will be loss of muscle tone with difficulty in walking.
14,Complete or partial loss of hearing.
15,Speech may be affected.
16,Squint and other visual problems may be associated.
17,Convulsions may be seen in some children.
Cerebral palsy is diagnosed by detailed clinical examination and by eliminating other similar diseases like brain tumour, progressive atrophy ect.All investigations like CT scan,MRI and routine investigations are needed to ruleout other diseases.
Management of Cerebral Palsy
1.General Management - This includes proper nutrition and personal care. Symptomatic medicines are needed to reduce convulsions and muscle stiffness. Diazepam can reduce spasticity and athetosis.
Dantrolene sodium helps to relax skeletal muscles.
2.Physiotherapy - Here massage,exercise, hydrotherapy and ect are needed.Special training is given to train walking,swallowing and talking.The affected children are also trained to hold articles for routine activities.
3.Rehabilitation - Moral and social support should be given to these children.They should be send to special schools where special training can be given by trained staff.Mentally retarded children need special training.Depending up on the disabitity special instruments and machines are given for locomotion and to assist their daytoday activities.
4.Occupational Therapy - This is given by occupational therapists.They train the disabled people to do some suitable works so that these people can have their own income.
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