Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

are falculations in cerebral palsy normal?

Accepted Answer

Fasciculations: I believe you mean fasciculations. Yes, they are  "normal" in cerebral palsy.

Question 6

what sort of disease is cerebral palsy (c.p.)?

Accepted Answer

Brain damage: CP is a form of brain damage in early life.  It could be from lack of oxygen to the brain, a bleed from a broken/burst blood vessel, head trauma and similar.  The brain damage could be while the baby is still in the mother's womb (in-utero) or in the first year or two of life after birth.  It can cause problems with learning, thinking, movement, sensation and communication.

Question 7

what are the main challenges of cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Attempt to be normal: Cerebral palsy is a static encephalopathy that causes difficulty with control of parts of the body.  Some patients also have mental retardation and epilepsy, and many with have significant orthopedic problems.  However, given the proper treatment and therapy, many patients can lead very normal and productive lives.

Question 8

what are the signs, symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Motor delay: Children with cerebral palsy have difficulty with movement because of an injury to the areas of the brain controling movement. They typically have delay attaining their motor milestones like sitting, crawling and walking.

Question 9

what is cerebral palsy and how can it be treated?

Accepted Answer

Research definition: CP is a disorder of movement or posture related to brain injury that occurred from pregnancy until the third birthday. Injury can be from loss of blood flow, oxygen,infection,etc. It can be associated with many other related problems depending on the extent. Each case is somewhat unique,most are mild and improve with developmental therapy like P.T.Referral to a developmental center is appropriate.

Question 10

what are the health challenges of cerebral palsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends on severity: Children with mild CP may be as healthy as typically developing children, just with some motor disability.  Children with severe CP often have swallowing problems that can lead to undernutrition and aspiration.  They can have recurrent respiratory problems.  They can also have  gastroesophageal reflux and constipation.

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What causes cerebral palsy in children?

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Are falculations in cerebral palsy normal?

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What is cerebral palsy and how can it be treated?

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What are the health challenges of cerebral palsy?

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