Posted by NHS Choices on December 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
About one in 400 children born alive has cerebral palsy. In this video Dr Lucinda Carr explains the causes, symptoms and treatment
Editor’s Note: Video Highlights
Cerebral Palsy:
- Describes a persistent disorder of movement or posture caused by an abnormality of the immature brain
- It’s surprisingly common and occurs in one in 400 live births
- And ranges in severity from mild to severe
Causes – many different:
- For the majority, the causes occur prior to birth. The brain may not develop normally in the womb, due to genetics, infection or trauma
- A small group experience problems around the time of birth although this is uncommon
- The highest-risk group are children born prematurely (40% of children with cerebral palsy were born prematurely)
Signs / Symptoms
- An early ultrasound brain scan may show some damage
- “Fits” shortly after the baby is born
- Problems with movement when the child begins to develop
- Not moving their hands and legs normally
- Not beginning to sit or walk when expected (developmental milestones)
Treatment – once diagnosis is made
- A (UK) child will meet with a local child development team* – typically a doctor and a physiotherapist.
- It may be helpful to involve speech therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists at this point.
- The aim is to help identify what the child finds difficult and help the with this.
- The common aim is to help the child in their movements – to keep the muscles strong and of good length and avoid contractures that could require orthopaedic surgery to correct
- Doing stretching and strengthening exercises
- Using splints and orthotics where necessary
- Botox injections may help to relax the stiff muscles
- As they grow we look to their needs as young adults
Most young people with cerebral palsy are fully independent and have full, active lives
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
* It is likely that a similar set of doctors would get involved at this point in the US
From www.nhs.uk
