Cerebral Palsy is used to describe certain neurological conditions affect movement in kids. The effects of Cerebral Palsy may differ from one baby to another. In severe cases, the signs and symptoms may show up as early as one month of age and in some children, it may be diagnosed late. Children diagnosed with it face problems with movement, posture and balance but in some, there may be intellectual and developmental disabilities too.
Cerebral Palsy is a condition in which the brain of the baby gets damaged before birth, during delivery or labour or when a child is in between 3 to 5 years of age, due to various reasons. It permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination but it does not get worse over time.
The effects of Cerebral Palsy may vary in degree from one child to another. In some, it may be severe and may restrict the child from walking or has to walk around with the help of some special equipment and in some, it may be mild and the child may walk in an awkward manner but may not require any help.
There are chiefly four main types of Cerebral Palsy:
This is the commonest of all and comprises 80% of people who suffer from Cerebral Palsy. In this, the muscles of the person are stiff and thus movements are awkward. This is further divided into three types
a. Spastic Diplegia/Diparesis
People suffering from this suffers muscle stiffness in the leg but the arms are not affected at all or less affected. As a result, the individual affected by this condition may find it difficult to walk.
b. Spastic Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis
It affects only one part of the body and usually the arm is more affected than the leg.
c. Spastic Quadriplegia/Quadriparesis
This condition is the most severe of the lot. It affects all the four limbs, the face and the trunk. Individuals affected with this cannot walk and often have a developmental and learning disability along with hearing and vision impairment.
This is a condition where individuals have no control over the movement of their hands, arms, feet and legs thus making it difficult for them to sit and walk. The movements can vary from being slow or being very fast and jerky. In some individuals, even the face and tongue are affected making it difficult for them to suck, swallow and talk.
This is a condition where the individual has problems with coordination and balance. Such individuals may have unsteady walks and may have problems with quick movements or movements that require lot of control.
This is a condition in which an individual shows symptoms of more than one Cerebral Palsy. The most common being a combination of Spastic and Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy.
Usually, 80% to 90% of babies with Cerebral Palsy get afflicted with it from their mother’s womb due to various reasons ranging from maternal health condition during pregnancy to genetic disorders. However, illness of the baby after birth or complications during birth also attribute to it. Some reasons are given as below.
In most cases, Cerebral Palsy in a baby develops when he is in his mother’s womb. Certain factors attribute to it.
The tell-tale signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy appear from infancy to pre-school years. During this period, parents or doctor can make out whether a child has the condition by observing him.
When a baby is affected by Cerebral Palsy, he may not be able to make movements normally as other children of his age do. In severe cases, the child may have a hearing or speech impairment. He may suffer from seizures which may affect his everyday life like being able to go to school or play like other children. The child may also suffer breathing, swallowing or chewing difficulties. Throughout his life, he may have to depend on someone or some equipment to do simple everyday tasks.
Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy is best if done early. There are many ways to diagnose it but the three main ways are :
A point to be noted is that the first observation should be that of the parents. If in case the parents realize that their child is not meeting certain milestones, they should immediately consult a doctor to ascertain the chances of their child having it.
In case the doctor, too, sounds an alarm, then a screening test of the child’s developments should be carried out immediately. In these tests, questionnaires are answered or interviews are taken of the parents. However, since the signs and symptoms of the condition come with age, it is only till later as much as 30 months that some children with milder versions are diagnosed with it since till then most developmental delays don’t come to the forefront.
Once the doctor suspects some kind of anomaly in the child, he will ask for certain tests to detect the specific type and the degree to which the child is affected. He will evaluate the child through his motor skills, muscle tone, reflexes, posture and medical history.
Other than these, the doctor will carry out a series of tests like CT Scan of the brain, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) followed by an Electroencephalogram (EEG), genetic testing or metabolic testing or a combination of all of these.
Complications and problems are a part and parcel of Cerebral Palsy. Children with the condition have associated disorders along with it. Some of them are listed below.
People with Cerebral Palsy require lifelong care and medical attention. As per the severity of the condition, the individuals have to consult specialists. In case of any disorder, they have to consult the respective consultants like an Orthopaediatrician for bone disorder or a Cardiologist for heart problems. A Physiotherapist further helps the individual to try and overcome his movement disability, in case there is any scope for improvement. As for speech problems, a speech/language therapist can help the child to work on it. A child with Cerebral Palsy can take the help of special educators who educate the child in a way that is appropriate for him.
Medication should be given according to the severity of the condition and whether it is isolated Spasticity (certain muscles) or generalised Spasticity (whole body). Certain medicines are given to relieve several of the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy, like muscle stiffness, to relax the muscles, seizures, constipation, drooling and body pain.
Some people with Cerebral Palsy have difficulty with their movements. Such people may need surgery to restore movement to that part of the body. At times, a hip joint repair surgery or a surgery to correct the curvature of the spine is required. In some cases, an operation is done to reduce stiffness in the legs in order to make walking easier or to combat urinary incontinence.
There are many home remedies which may prove to be useful in some of the problems that people with Cerebral Palsy face on a daily basis.
Some causes of childhood Cerebral Palsy have been identified and thus if these causes are taken care of, it can be prevented.
Although a lot of new research and development is taking place to combat Cerebral Palsy in babies and children, it is still on the rise. As studies show, it is not 100% preventable and neither can it be fully cured. However, people should be aware of the known causes through which individuals may acquire it and try to prevent it to ensure a better quality of life for their children.