Cerebral Palsy: Frequently Asked Questions
What is athetoid cerebral palsy?
Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the area of the brain responsible for processing signals that enable movements. Children diagnosed with this type of cerebral palsy have low muscle tone and have problems sitting, standing, or walking.
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Athetoid cerebral palsy causes fluctuations in
muscle tone throughout the entire body. Individuals afflicted with this condition sometimes make unintentional or uncontrolled movements that can be either slow and contorting or fast and erratic. Athetoid CP usually affects the entire body.
Source: www.palsyhelp.com
What is spastic cerebral palsy?
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy. "Spastic" refers to involuntary contractions of the muscles. Children diagnosed with this type of cerebral palsy have tight muscle groups which limit movement.
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Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form occurring form of the condition. The term "spastic" refers to one who is prone to spasms, which are involuntary contractions of muscles. Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by tight muscle tone, which results in rigid and jerky movements. Those affected by this condition may have difficulty changing positions and performing other basic movements.
Source: www.palsyhelp.com
Spastic CP is the most common type and is caused by damage to the motor cortex. Spastic muscles are tight and stiff, which limit movement.
Source: www.bccerebralpalsy.com
What is ataxic cerebral palsy?
This is a rare type of cerebral palsy that affects the sense of balance and depth perception. Ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by low muscle tone and poor coordination of movements. Children diagnosed with this type of cerebral palsy appear unsteady and shaky.
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Ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by
slack muscle tone and impaired coordination and balance. Individuals with this condition generally appear very shaky and unsteady. People with ataxic cerebral palsy may walk unsteadily because of poor balance.
Source: www.palsyhelp.com
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
There are many possible causes of cerebral palsy . It is not always clear what caused the brain damage in the first place, but some possibilities include: Health problems of the mother
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
Birth injuries from complications
Premature delivery
Jaundice (excessive bilirubin)
Source: www.palsyhelp.com
Often the cause of cerebral palsy is damage to the brain sustained during the birthing process, which could be through malpractice or negligence on behalf of the hospital. However, in many other cases no cause has been identified. Sometimes, infection or illness in the mother during pregnancy can result in the baby having cerebral palsy. Many cases begin in the pre-natal period before birth.
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Cerebral palsy is a serious birth injury that affects more than 5,000 children in the United States each year. Resulting from brain damage, the causes of cerebral palsy can include birth mistakes such as physician error or negligence. This type of birth injury compromises the body's ability to control movement and posture and often results in seizures, intellectual impairment, behavioral problems, hearing deficits, and vision disorders. ...
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The most common cause of cerebral palsy is damage to the brain sustained during childbirth. This can happen due to medical malpractice or medical negligence; however, there are cases of CP in which no specific cause is specified. Sometimes, infection in the mother during her pregnancy can result in a baby having cerebral palsy, and many cases begin in the pre-natal period right before birth.
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Cerebral palsy is the generic term for a number of disorders affecting a baby's brain function and body movement. Cerebral palsy can be the result of an injury to a baby's brain in the womb, during delivery or after birth. It also can be caused by a lack of oxygen flow to a baby's brain during delivery. After the baby is born, cerebral palsy can be caused by trauma to the head from falls, car accidents and abuse.
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How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed before the age of three. An infant with cerebral palsy may display an abnormally limp or rigid posture. Spastic muscles characterize some cases of cerebral palsy, while in others the muscles are unusually slack. Certain
early reflexes that are present in newborns, but normally disappear within several weeks, remain for much longer in children affected by cerebral palsy. ...
Source: www.palsyhelp.com
Doctors look for a number of different indicators in order to diagnose Cerebral Palsy. They will also often prescribe medical tests to help them determine the exact nature of a child’s problem. For more information on how doctors diagnose Cerebral Palsy, please visit our diagnosis page.
Source: www.cerebralpalsy.org
What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?
Cerebral Palsy is a “blanket diagnosis” Doctors use in reference to any one of a number of Neurological disorders in Children. CP is a permanent disorder affecting body movement, muscle coordination, and motor skills, but is not progressive. In other words, while the condition doesn’t get better, it doesn’t get worse. Although cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. ...
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Cerebral Palsy is the name given to a group of conditions in which there are disorder of movement or posture caused by damage to areas of the brain which control mussels.
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Is cerebral palsy progressive?
Cerebral palsy itself is not a progressive disease. The conditions and disabilities that can arise from cerebral palsy may improve, worsen, or remain unchanged with time.
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Is cerebral palsy contagious?
Cerebral palsy is not contagious. It is not a disease and should not be considered as such. Cerebral palsy is caused by injury suffered near the time of birth. There is nothing to be feared by being near someone with cerebral palsy.
Source: www.personalinjuryfyi.com
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an umbrella-like term to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. Symptoms of cerebral palsy lie along a spectrum of varying severity. ...
Source: www.childrensspecialists.com
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of CP is "a non-progressive but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain. " Cerebral = "of the brain" Palsy = "lack of muscle control" To Top
Source: www.bccerebralpalsy.com
Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that affects a person's body movements and muscle coordination. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the brain before, during or shortly following birth. There are three types of Cerebral Palsy, including Spastic, which results in difficult and stiff movements; Ataxic, which causes loss of depth perception and sense of balance; and Athetoid, which causes uncontrolled and involuntary movements. The area of the brain that has been damaged will determine how Cerebral Palsy will effect a person. ...
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Cerebral palsy is a combination of chronic conditions affecting muscle coordination and body movement and is caused by damage to certain areas of the brain usually occurring in the early stages of life or during development of the fetus. Therefore, it is an aftereffect of damage to motor areas in the brain controlling movement or posture rather than damage to individual muscles. ...
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It is a condition – not a disease – developed before, during, or occasionally after birth, affecting motor skills (movement and coordination). Cerebral palsy is a static disorder of the brain, not a progressive disorder. The physical impairment is due to brain damage in the baby, which is frequently caused by insufficient oxygen flow to the brain. ...
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Is Cerebral Palsy preventable?
A significant number of the Cerebral Palsy cases that occur as the result of a birth injury can be prevented. Medical negligence, such as careless handling of the child’s cranium or an undetected oxygen blockage in the child’s brain, is a factor in many of these preventable cases. Also, as we begin to understand other risk factors, such as blood-type incompatibility, Rubella (contracted during early pregnancy) and other complications, we will be able to prevent additional cases of Cerebral Palsy. ...
Source: www.cerebralpalsy.org
Is Cerebral Palsy curable?
Since the disorder is caused by irreversible brain damage, cerebral palsy has no cure. However, the physical effects of the brain damage can be treated. While impaired motor skills, speech, and muscle development cannot be “cured,” there are an ever-growing number of management options. Early intervention is often considered the single most important factor in the disorder’s treatment. If the signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy are recognized early, then therapy and special learning can keep the disability under control.
Source: www.cerebralpalsy.org
Cerebral palsy is not curable. That does not mean, however, that children with cerebral palsy cannot grow up to be functional, independent members of the community. The best long-term results are related to beginning therapy as early as the diagnosis is made. Therapy may include physical, occupational and speech therapy. Treatment interventions are designed to maximize function and allow for the child to interact with family, friends and community.
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Cerebral Palsy?
When thinking of the future for your child, it is best to be both realistic and optimistic. Just as with any other child, it is important to develop skills from the ground up. It is equally important for the parent of a child with cerebral palsy to be realistic about the child's abilities now and for the future. With professional help, the parent will slowly develop realistic goals and it is these goals that the parent, child, and professionals should dedicate their effort. ...
What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
Symptoms are usually evident before age two, and in severe cases may appear as early as three months. Symptoms include: · Seizures · Muscle contractions · Difficulty sucking or feeding · Irregular breathing · Delayed development of motor skills, such as reading, sitting, rolling, crawling, walking; motor mental retardation · Speech, visual, hearing abnormalities · Spasticity · Progressive joint contractures · Limited range of motion · Peg teeth
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Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?
Unfortunately, no. The damage to the brain caused by cerebral palsy is irreparable but therapy can encourage the brain to develop alternative pathways.
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Is cerebral palsy hereditary?
It is not an inherited condition; rather it is a result of damage to the developing brain by environmental factors.
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