Definition

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that can involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking.

There are several types of cerebral palsy

• Spastic
• Dyskinetic
• Ataxic
• Hypotonic
• Mixed

Causes and Risks

Caused by injuries or abnormalities of the brain

Mostly occurs while fetus is in the womb, or anytime during the first 2 years of life (the baby’s brain is still developing during this time and is vulnerable).

In some cerebral palsy patients, parts of the brain were injured due to low levels of oxygen or hypoxia in the affected area.  The causes of hypoxia are unknown.

Premature babies are at a slightly higher risk of developing cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy may also occur during early infancy as a result of several conditions.

• Bleeding in the brain
• Brain infections
• Encephalitis, meningitis, herpes simplex infections
• Head injury
• Infections in the mother during pregnancy
• Severe jaundice

Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms may be mild to severe

May occur on one side of the body or on both

May be more pronounced in arms or legs or both the arms and legs

Symptoms usually seen before the child has reached 2 years of age

Several Types of Symptoms

Symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy

• Muscles that are very tight and do not stretch. May tighten up more with time.
• Abnormal walk (gait): arms tucked in toward the sides, knees crossed or touching, legs make “scissors” movements, walk on toes

Symptoms that may occur in other types of cerebral palsy

• Abnormal movements of the hands, feet, arms, or legs while awake, which gets worse during periods of stress
• Tremors
• Unsteady gait (see above)
• Loss of coordination
• Floppy muscles, especially at rest, and joints that move around too much
• Other brain and nervous system symptoms
• Decreased intelligence or learning disabilities
• Speech problems
• Hearing or vision problems
• Seizures
• Pain, especially in adults
• Eating and digestive symptoms
• Difficulty sucking or feeding in infants, or chewing and swallowing in older children and adults
• Vomiting or constipation

Other symptoms

• Increased drooling
• Slower than normal growth
• Irregular breathing
• Urinary incontinence

Links

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001734/

http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/