The term cerebral palsy is an umbrella term which refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in
infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but don’t worsen over time.
Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves, it is caused
by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born
with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before
a child reaches 3 years of age. A small number of children have cerebral palsy as the result of brain damage at birth or in
the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury
from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements, stiff or tight muscles
and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity); walking with one foot or leg dragging; walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a "scissored"
gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy.
Treatment
At the present time there is no cure, but treatment will often improve a child's capabilities. Many children go on to enjoy
near-normal adult lives if their disabilities are properly managed. In general, the earlier treatment begins the better chance
children have of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. Treatment
may include physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, drugs to control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate
pain; surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and other devices; wheelchairs and rolling
walkers; and communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesizers. The disabilities can vary widely, one
child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care, and another with mild cerebral
palsy might be only slightly awkward and require no special assistance at all. Supportive treatments, medications, and surgery
can help many individuals improve their motor skills and ability to communicate with the world.
It is important to seek medical advice if you suspect that your child may be suffering from this disease and it has not
been diagnosed at birth, there are many societies that can give help and advice try Children's Hemiplegic & Stroke Association
at WWW.CHASA.org
