Cerebral palsy is a general and comprehensive name for the results of a defect or damage to the brain in the process of development. In the body. This brain defect may occur during pregnancy, during the birth process, or during the postpartum period up to the age of 5 years.
Cerebral palsy is the main cause of childhood disabilities, with a prevalence rate of about one in every 400 live births.
Types of cerebral palsy
There are four main types of cerebral palsy that are usually classified according to the picture of the movement disorder, as follows:
1. Spastic cerebral palsy
This is the most common form of the disease.
Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by severe muscle tension, which leads to the risk of joint dislocation, bone deformation, and deformation of the feet and palms of the hands.
2. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
In children with this type of cerebral palsy, we find continuous involuntary movement in the limbs, and a disorder in the implementation of voluntary movements that sometimes cause difficulty in walking.
3. Hypotonic cerebral palsy
Children with this type of cerebral palsy do not control their heads and may have difficulty breathing. As the child gets older, the child may have difficulty sitting upright due to the weakness of their muscles.
The child may also have difficulty speaking, poor reflexes, and trouble walking.
4. Ataxic cerebral palsy
This form of the disease is less common and is characterized by a lack of balance, lack of control of movements in space.
Children with ataxic cerebral palsy walk with unsteady, hesitant movements and fall frequently.
degrees of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is classified into 5 main grades, which are as follows
First degree: the patient can move without any obstacles.
Grade 2: The patient can walk long distances without impairment, but cannot run or jump.
Third degree: the patient needs support to sit, such as sitting in a wheelchair, but he can stand without assistance.
Fourth degree: the patient can walk using assistive devices and support.
Grade 5: The patient needs help standing, sitting, and maintaining head and neck stability.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy
Symptoms are often not evident at birth, and symptoms appear more clearly after 2-3 years of life. The most prominent of these symptoms are:
The delay in the development of abilities in the child, such as: the child cannot sit after 8 months of his birth, or the inability to walk after the age of 18 months.
The child is too stiff, or too floppy.
Weakness in the arms or legs.
Note the appearance of spasm movements in the child.
Random and irregular baby movement.
Walking on tiptoes.
speech problems
Difficulty swallowing.
Learning difficulties.
The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, some people experience few symptoms, and others have severe symptoms.
Causes and risk factors for cerebral palsy
There are many causes and factors that increase the risk of developing cerebral palsy, as follows:
1. Causes of cerebral palsy
Doctors cannot always know the cause of cerebral palsy, but the following are the most prominent reasons that may lead to brain damage and paralysis:
Brain bleeding of the fetus while it is in its mother’s womb, during childbirth, or after the birth of the child.
Lack of blood flow to the main important organs in the body.
Convulsions occur at or after childbirth.
Some genetic diseases.
Brain injury.
2. Risk factors
The following are the most important factors that increase the risk of developing cerebral palsy during pregnancy:
Pregnancy with twins.
The presence of health problems in the mother, such as: epileptic seizures, or thyroid problems.
The mother''s blood group is not compatible with the child''s.
Dealing with toxic substances, such as: mercury found in some fish during pregnancy.
premature birth of a child.
The birth of a baby whose size is less than normal, such as being less than 2.5 kilograms.
The child has meningitis, encephalitis, or severe jaundice.
Exposure of the mother to infections during pregnancy that may harm the baby, such as
German measles (Rubella).
Chickenpox.
Cytomegalovirus.
Herpes virus.
Toxoplasmosis.
Syphilis.
Complications of cerebral palsy
Among the most common complications of cerebral palsy are the following
Muscle contraction that may cause bone bending, joint deformities, and partial or total dislocation.
Premature aging in most people with cerebral palsy.
Malnutrition caused by problems swallowing or eating.
Psychological problems in the patient, such as: depression, and isolation from society.
Heart and lung problems.
Osteoarthritis.
Lack of bone tissue (Osteopenia).
Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
The disease is diagnosed by taking the patient''s complete medical history and conducting a physical examination, then the doctor requests some of the following tests:
1. Electroencephalogram - EEG
EEG is done to see what electrical activity is going on inside the brain, and it''s often done in case of epileptic seizures.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Through imaging, a clear picture of the brain is taken, showing all the abnormal changes in the brain.
3. Computed tomography (CT)
The scan shows any damage within the brain.
4. Cranial ultrasound
It is a cheap and quick test that is used to take a picture of the brain, especially in infants.
5. Blood tests
This test may be done to rule out blood disorders.
Cerebral palsy treatment
A patient with cerebral palsy, whether in childhood or youth, needs long-term treatment, which includes the use of the following:
1. Pharmacotherapy
The patient is given a muscle relaxant, such as diazepam, to improve his motor abilities, relieve pain, and reduce the severity of complications.
2. Physical therapy
Through exercise and stretching exercises that help improve physical and motor capabilities.
3. Speech therapy
This helps with speech and dealing with society, and may be useful in cases of difficulty swallowing.
4. Occupational therapy
The doctor defines daily tasks that the child does with his parents, and is asked to suggest ways to make them easier.
5. Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention may help in certain cases to improve the ability to walk and eliminate spasms.
Prevention of cerebral palsy
In some cases, it is not possible to prevent cerebral palsy, but in other cases, preventive methods may help to avoid the disease, the most important of which are:
Take care to take vaccinations: to avoid brain damage in the fetus.
Maintaining your health: The expectant mother''s stay in a good health condition reduces her chances of infection.
Periodic follow-up of pregnancy: Going to the doctor periodically helps to ensure the safety of the fetus, and to know any risks it may face and treat it early, such as: premature birth.
Preserving the health of the child: This is done by protecting him as much as possible from accidents or head trauma.
Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and drugs: all of these substances increase the risk of cerebral palsy for a child.
Alternative therapies
Allied health treatments include
Hydrotherapy.
Hippotherapy.
Therapeutic physical exercise.
These therapies have been established to improve movement, balance, and quality of life in people with cerebral palsy.
These and other treatments, such as: electrical stimulation therapy for muscles and others, are presented to the public today, but their effectiveness has not yet been scientifically proven.
