Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Study Notes

Cerebral Palsy: Overview and Symptoms

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement and posture development disorders attributed to non-progressive disturbances in the developing fetal or infant brain.
The condition is characterized by abnormal muscle tone, reflexes, and motor development, leading to difficulties with movement, posture, thinking, learning, feeling, communication, and behavior.
Muscle contractions are commonly thought to arise from overactivation, and the neurological lesion is primary and permanent, while orthopedic manifestations are secondary and progressive.
The condition can cause a range of orthopedic manifestations, including bone and joint deformities, gait abnormalities, and joint contractures.
While most individuals with cerebral palsy have problems with increased muscle tone, some have normal or low muscle tone, which can be due to spasticity or dystonia.
Symptoms may appear or change as a child gets older, with developmental stage at 6 to 9 months being a critical period for the emergence of symptoms.
Drooling, lower urinary tract symptoms, and sensory processing issues are common among children with cerebral palsy, with potential impacts on social rejection, speaking, and physical health.
Children with cerebral palsy are at risk of experiencing birth defects such as spinal curvature, a small jawbone, or a small head.
Diagnosis is based on the child's development over time, and blood tests and medical imaging may be used to rule out other possible causes.
Cerebral palsy is the most common movement disorder in children, occurring in about 2.1 per 1,000 live births, and has been documented throughout history.
While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, supportive treatments, medication, surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may help many individuals.
Some causes of cerebral palsy are preventable through efforts to prevent head injuries in children and through immunization of the mother.

Description

Explore the characteristics and impact of Cerebral Palsy, a group of disorders affecting movement and posture, particularly in childhood. Learn about the associated impaired movement, reflexes, and muscle control.