Causes and risk factors
Cerebral palsy as the names suggest is caused due to damage to the brain. It is occurs before birth or is diagnosed later in some children. The major cause of brain damage is abnormal brain development or injury to the brain during delivery or during labor. Negligence during pregnancy, medical malpractice, accidents can contribute to brain damage. Infections during pregnancy pose a risk for brain development abnormalities.
Clinical presentation:
There are several types of cerebral palsy like spastic cerebral palsy, ataxic, dyskinetic and hypotonic. Generally symptoms are seen in the first three years of life. Delay in development of the milestones is the major complaint which makes the parents aware that their child is facing some problems. The entire milestone like crawling, walking, talking are delayed. The child crawls in an unusual way. The gait is hampered the child gets easily startled in sleep. The mother faces difficulty in feeding. All the fine and gross motor movements are hampered .Abnormal reflexes are seen. The child faces difficulty in hearing and vision is disturbed. The child can suffer from paralysis, it can affect the lower and upper extremity, Seizures and mental retardation can be associated with it.
Investigations:
Diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the parents and the physical examination carried out by the doctor. Certain physical tests can be carried out by the doctor. The pregnancy history of the mother is reviewed. MRI or CT scan of the brain is diagnostic. Routine blood test and a profile of specialized blood test are other investigations which can be done for overall health assessment.
Treatment:
Cerebral palsy cannot be cured however the treatment aims at improving the disability. The sooner the treatment is adopted the better are the results. Symptomatic relief is obtained. Various medications to ally the pain, seizures are prescribed. Botox has also found to be usefully to treat the splasticity .Surgical intervention is aimed at correcting of any anatomical abnormality .Braces and use of orthopedic devices like wheelchair, rolling walkers are recommended. Physiotherapy exercises will help to strengthen the muscles. Speech therapy is started. Support from friends and family along with parental counseling plays a major role.
Other Modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms.. Acupuncture which is the science of insertion of fine needles on the certain stimulating spots on the body has proved to be effective. Certain yoga exercises can also be helpful in relieving the pain and strengthening the muscles.
Recent update:
Researchers are going on to find out the genetic role in mishaps of brain development and brain abnormality responsible for cerebral palsy.
