Cerebral Palsy - Symptoms and Causes

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is defined as a group of disorders that affects an individual’s ability to move and maintain posture and balance. Apart from affecting muscle movement and coordination function, it can also affect hearing, vision and sensation in some cases. The term “cerebral” means having to do with the brain and “palsy” means problems or weakness in movement of the body.

The main types of cerebral palsy include spastic, mixed, dyskinetic, and ataxic.

Symptoms

The cerebral palsy symptoms may largely differ from one individual to the other. It can either limit the functionality of a part limb or two or may even affect the entire body, depending on the severity of the disorder. The general cerebral palsy symptoms and signs include:

1. Movement and Coordination

● Overstated reflexes and stiff muscles (spasticity) is a common sign of cerebral palsy

● Normal reflexes with stiff muscles (rigidity)

● Lack of coordination in muscles and balance (ataxia)

● Muscle tone variations, like being too firm or flaccid

● Flail movements

● Difficulty in locomotive movements, like walking on toes, asymmetrical gait, a crouched gait, etc.

● Favouring a partial side of the body, like dragging a leg when crawling

● Struggling with things like dialling a phone, picking up small objects, tying shoelaces, and other types of fine motor skills.

2. Developmental Issues

● Significant delays in reaching milestones like rolling over, walking, crawling or sitting up

● Significant delays in general growth function

● Intellectual disabilities

● Difficulties in learning

3. Speech and Eating

● Problems with swallowing, chewing or general eating

● Excessive drooling

● Slowed down speech function development

● Struggle in speaking

4. Other Symptoms

● Hearing difficulties

● Epileptic seizures

● Irregular eye movements

● Issues with vision

● Bowel and bladder issues

● Irregular pain or touch sensations

● Behavioural issues, emotional disorders and other types of mental health conditions

Causes

Most cases of cerebral palsy are congenital than acquired. Here are some possible causes of cerebral palsy:

● Lack of oxygen to the brain at the time of labour or brain damage during delivery can then lead to cerebral palsy

● Fetus Infection during pregnancy can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy

● Abnormal brain development due to genetic mutations

● Fetal stroke that can lead to brain damage and cause cerebral palsy

● Head trauma from a fall, vehicular accidents, and assault can cause permanent damage to the brain and become a cause of cerebral palsy

Risk Factors

This includes:

● Toxic exposures or certain kinds of infections to the mother during pregnancy. This includes rubella, cytomegalovirus, syphilis, herpes, Zika virus infection, intrauterine infections, toxoplasmosis, exposure to methyl mercury or other types of toxins, etc.

● Illness after birth such as viral encephalitis, bacterial Meningitis, bleeding into the brain, and untreated or severe cases of jaundice can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in infants.

● Birth-related factors such as multiple babies (like a twin or triplet), low birth weight, complications during delivery, breech birth, low Apgar score and premature birth can also increase the overall risk factors of cerebral palsy.

● In case of Rh incompatibility chances of jaundice increase, which may lead to brain damage and raise the risk of cerebral palsy.

When to See a Doctor?

If you suspect that your child has cerebral palsy then immediately contacts your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Treatment may include assistive aids, medications, or surgery.

- Assistive aids include eyeglasses, hearing aids, walking aids, body braces, and wheelchairs.

- Immediate medication relaxes the muscles and helps reduce pain from muscle spasms.

- Orthopedic surgery may be used to relieve pain and improve mobility. It may also be needed to release tight muscles or correct bone irregularities caused by spasticity.

- Various therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, and counseling can help the child grow to great potential and remain active.

Conclusion

Living a normal life with cerebral palsy can be challenging at times but with the right management, accommodations, therapies and assistance people with can lead an active and healthy life.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Healthline, CDC

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on October 14, 2022