Cerebral Palsy: Definition, Features & Diagnosis

Cerebral Palsy Definition

• A range of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood.
• Body movements and muscle coordination is permanently impacted.
• A motor disorder caused by an injury to the developing brain.
• A group of conditions affecting movement and posture.
• A group of disorders affecting a person's ability to move, maintain balance, and posture.

Main Features

• It involves damage to or abnormalities inside the developing brain.
• Onset occurs before, during, or after birth.
• It causes motor difficulties.
• It results in decreased control of movements.
• It is nonprogressive but permanent.
• It is the most common cause of childhood physical disability.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis involves examining abnormalities in a neurological exam.
• It also includes assessing abnormalities in muscle tone and motor function.
• Medical history, physical exams, and MRI scans are used for diagnosis.

Risk Factors

• Prenatal risk factors include maternal factors, age, health, history, and socioeconomic status (SES).
• Antenatal risk factors (before birth): prematurity, congenital malformations, infection, low birth rate, and abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid.
• Intrapartum risk factors (during delivery): length of labor, positioning, emergency delivery, meconium, and obstetric risk factors.
• Neonatal/postnatal risk factors: neonatal encephalopathy, respiratory distress, neonatal infection, and severe jaundice.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

• Characterized by neurological stiffness in the muscles associated with increased reflexes.
• Bilateral spasticity affects both sides of the body.
• Spastic quadriplegia impacts all four limbs.
• Spastic diplegia affects both legs.
• Unilateral spasticity affects one side of the body.
• Spastic hemiplegia is a type of unilateral spasticity.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

• Involves involuntary movements.
• Dystonic movements are marked by fluctuations in tone and a tendency to get "stuck" in abnormal postures.
• Choreoatheotic movements are hyperkinetic (increased activity) and involuntary.

Ataxia

• Causes poor balance and decreased muscle coordination are symptoms.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy

• Mixed CP is diagnosed when there is a combination of subtypes.

Assessments

• Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) classifies CP according to gross motor function into five ability levels.
• GMFCS use helps determine appropriate therapies and interventions.
• Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) describes individuals' ability to perform activities with their hands using five ability levels ranging from independent to dependent.
• MACS use helps determine the level of needed support in completion of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

Impacts on Development

• Impacts include movement, hand control, and ADLs, learning and developmental disabilities, speech and language, medical problems, and life expectancy.

Interventions

• Interventions involve families, include promotion of health and wellness, participation, and multiple providers.
• Family-centered care is important.

This lesson defines cerebral palsy as a group of neurological disorders affecting movement and posture, appearing in infancy or early childhood. It highlights the main features, including brain damage, motor difficulties, and decreased movement control. The lesson also mentions diagnosis methods and risk factors.