This term is a general term for a group of disabling conditions caused by damage to the brain in early life during the period of brain development. Cerebral palsy is a disorder of muscle control affecting posture and movement causing problems such as weakness, spasticity or difficulties with balance and coordination.
Cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, but changes may occur due to variations during the child’s growth and development and the effect of intercurrent illnesses.
In addition to motor handicaps, other problems may be present, such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, visual and hearing problems, speech disorders, and eating difficulties.
The incidence of cerebral palsy remains fairly constant, at around 2.0 per 1,000 live births. Damage to the brain occurs in the majority of cases during pregnancy. It may occasionally occur in association with the birth process or during infancy such as following near drowning
Cerebral palsy is subdivided into the following types:
Hemiplegia -
involves spasticity and weakness of one side of the body. These children are usually late walking but eventually walk reasonably well. They may have more pronounced weakness in the arm. A number of the children have intellectual disability and epilepsy is relatively common in this group.
Diplegia -
There is spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs, the upper limbs being relatively spared. This form is often associated with prematurity.
Quadriplegia -
There is spasticity and weakness of all four limbs. Many of these children have multiple impairments e.g. intellectual disability, epilepsy, visual and hearing problems, communication and eating difficulties.
Ataxia -
These children often have an abnormality of the part of the brain which controls balance (the cerebellum). Ambulation is difficult because of balance problems. Coordination and fine motor skills may be affected and in some cases speech.
Athetosis/Dyskinetic -
The children in this group exhibit involuntary movements, which are slow and writhing. Speech and swallowing are often severely impaired. Many of these children are of normal intelligence but have severe communication difficulties. Ambulation and activities of daily living are often difficult.
Management of all forms of cerebral palsy is by a team approach, involving parents, paediatrician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist, teacher and (sometimes) dietician/nutritionist and paediatric rehabilitation specialist.
* Source : Novita Children’s Services Inc & Women’s and Children’s Hospital Health Information Centre
