What is Cerebral Palsy?
March 09, 2006Cerebral palsy is a disorder often found in children who have suffered brain damage some time before, during or immediately following birth. Children with cerebral palsy usually show signs of poor head control, feeding difficulties and delays in motor development. These types of symptoms are most likely to appear during the child's first year.
Cerebral palsy may occur during birth if there is a lack of oxygen and bleeding in the baby's brain. A child may also experience head trauma and meningitis during the first few days following birth, which may also be a cause of cerebral palsy. Babies that are born premature are also at a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Some signs of cerebral palsy in children, include difficulty sucking and feeding; lying in an awkward position; startles excessively; shows a delay in reaching development milestones such as rolling over and pushing up on all fours; prefers using one hand before the age of one year, which may suggest weakness in the other; crawls abnormally; or seems to be either excessively stiff or floppy.
If you detect any of the above signs, you will want to consult a doctor, who will perform a neurological examination and also a series of tests to rule out other possible disorders.
A child can never be cured of cerebral palsy, but it can be managed to prevent complications and maximize the child's independence. The disease does not progress with age, but it must be monitored and treated so that other factors, such as excessive weight gain, don't increase the disability over time.
There are a variety of treatment programs for children with cerebral palsy, and they vary according to each child's needs. Most treatment programs will include physical, occupational and speech therapy. With the help of mobility aids, such as scooter boards, special strollers and wheelchairs, and electronic devices that can enhance communication abilities, children with cerebral palsy can still live fairly normal lives. However, some children with cerebral palsy may also shows signs of mental retardation, and they may require a special education program. Children with cerebral palsy may also require frequent medical attention for seizures, skeletal problems and other complications.
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