Cerebral Palsy
In the 1860s, an English surgeon named William Little wrote the first medical descriptions of a puzzling disorder that struck children in the first years of life, causing stiff, spastic muscles in their legs and, to a lesser degree, their arms. These children had difficulty grasping objects, crawling, and walking. They did not get better as they grew up nor did they become worse. Their condition, which was called Little's disease for many years, is now known as spastic diplegia. It is just one of several disorders that affect control of movement and are grouped together under the term cerebral palsy.
Each year about 10,000 babies born in the United States develop cerebral palsy. More than 80% of people with cerebral palsy developed it either before they were born or before they were a month old. In many instances, the cause of the brain abnormality is unknown.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used 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. The
disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas
in the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and
posture.
About half of the people who have cerebral palsy need to use devices-such as braces, walkers, or wheel chairs-to help them get around, and almost 70% have other disabilities, primarily mental retardation. Depending on the severity of their disability, people with cerebral palsy may need specialized medical care, educational and social services, and other help throughout their lives from both their families and communities.
What are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsey?
Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty with fine motor tasks (such as writing or using scissors), difficulty maintaining balance or walking, and involuntary movements.The symptoms differ from person to person and may change over time. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment, but cerebral palsy does not always cause profound handicap. Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years of age. Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk. Cerebral palsy may be congenital or acquired after birth.
Several of the causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are preventable or treatable: head injury, jaundice, Rh incompatibility, and rubella (German measles). Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by testing motor skills and reflexes, looking into medical history, and employing a variety of specialized tests. Although its symptoms may change over time, cerebral palsy by definition is not progressive, so if a patient shows increased impairment, the problem may be something other than cerebral palsy.
Is there any treatment?
There is no standard therapy that works for all patients. Drugs can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms, and special braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Surgery and mechanical aids can be used to help overcome impairments, counseling can be given for emotional and psychological needs, and physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapies may be employed.
What is the prognosis?
At this time, cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but due to medical research, many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological problems are properly managed.
What research is being done?
Research suggests that cerebral palsy results from incorrect cell development early in pregnancy. For example, a group of researchers has recently observed that more than one-third of children with cerebral palsy also have missing enamel on certain teeth. Scientists are also examining other events-such as bleeding in the brain, seizures, and breathing and circulation problems-that threaten the brain of a newborn baby.
Some investigators are conducting studies to learn whether
certain drugs can help prevent neonatal stroke, and other investigators are examining
the causes of low birth-weight. Other scientists are exploring how brain insults
(like brain damage from a shortage of oxygen or blood flow, bleeding in the brain,
and seizures) can cause the abnormal release of brain chemicals and trigger brain
disease.
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