Question 1

what is cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: CP is a disorder of movement or posture related to brain injury that occurred at some point from pregnancy until the third birthday. It can be associated with many other related problems depending on the expent. Each case is somewhat unique ; most are mild and improve with developmental therapy like P.T.Referral to a developmental center is appropriate..

Question 2

how common is cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

5 /1000 live births: The approximate incidence is 5 per 1000 live births.

Question 3

can drugs cause cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Not directly: Cerebral palsy is caused by injury to an immature brain. It typically occurs when a child is born early or has an event where they have inadequate blood suppply or oxygen to the brain for a signifcant length of time.

Question 4

how is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Physical exam: Since infants do little more than feed & cuddle we must wait until they are a little older to  begin showing abnormalities of  muscle tone & difficulty acheiving motor skills before CP is suspected. I have suspected this as early as 6 months but it is often around a year before the features are evident enough to make the dx.Workup may look into  look alike issues.

Question 5

what  causes cerebral palsy in child?

Accepted Answer

Damage to the brain: Cerebral palsy is a term used to label a child who has a static encephalopathy.  There are many different types and degrees of dysfunction that fall within that label.  There are abnormalities of motor function found on neurological examination, but the child may be quite intelligent and otherwise normal.  The cause is complex but involves damage to motor control areas of the brain.

Question 6

what types of cerebral palsy are there?

Accepted Answer

Types of CP: A general explanation of the classifications of cerebral palsy would be difficult with the limitations of this forum, but I have added a link which may be informative for you.

http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/types-and-forms/

Question 7

what causes cerebral palsy in children?

Accepted Answer

Various causes: It is often not known, but any injury to the brain, whether through an infection, or inflammation or low oxygen, or other, can potentially lead to cerebral palsy. Those insults often happen early on in life or even during fetal stages of life.

Question 8

does cerebral palsy get worse over time?

Accepted Answer

Generally not: By definition the injury causing CP creates a stable effect; that is you do not see deterioration of skills after they are acquired. Some nervous system disorders get worse with age as the injury is continuing, not cp. Some CP patients may choose a wheel chair later in life although they can still walk some for the convenience & speed. Most CP kids actually will get better over time with therapy.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Cerebral palsy: there are multiple symptoms, if concerned you better see a physician in person for this.

Question 10

what do you recommend for cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Gait analysis: CP is just the name for static motor dysfunction---
depending on the degree and type of cerebral palsy treatment include physical therapy, botox, serial casting, tendon lengthening, rhizotomy, baclofen, and a lot of other good ideasneed to see a doctor specializing and interested.

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Cerebral palsy

A member asked:

What is cerebral palsy?

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How common is cerebral palsy?

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Can drugs cause cerebral palsy?

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How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

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What causes cerebral palsy in child?

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What types of cerebral palsy are there?

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What causes cerebral palsy in children?

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Does cerebral palsy get worse over time?

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What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?

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What do you recommend for cerebral palsy?

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