CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy is a general term for a variety of problems of the motor system.

The symptoms can include lack of coordination , stiffness , jerkiness, difficulty with speech and paralysis.

CAUSES
Cerebral palsy results from damage to the brain before, during , or shortly after birth. The causes of this damage vary.

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SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person's lifetime.

Children with cerebral palsy usually show symptoms within the first three years of life. They may be slower than their peers in achieving motor milestones like sitting upright, crawling, and walking. Symptoms range from mild and barely noticeable to severe and debilitating, and can include difficulty maintaining balance or walking, problems with fine motor tasks, or uncontrolled involuntary movements. The symptoms vary from person to person and may change over time.

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DETECTION

In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age

• His head lags when you pick him up while he’s lying on his back
• He feels stiff
• He feels floppy
• When held cradled in your arms, he seems to overextend his back and neck, constantly acting as if he is pushing away from you
• When you pick him up, his legs get stiff and they cross or scissor

In a Baby Older Than 6 Months of Age

• She doesn’t roll over in either direction
• She cannot bring her hands together
• She has difficulty bringing her hands to her mouth
• She reaches out with only one hand while keeping the other fisted

In a Baby Older Than 10 Months of Age

• He crawls in a lopsided manner, pushing off with one hand and leg while dragging the opposite hand and leg
• He scoots around on his buttocks or hops on his knees, but does not crawl on all fours

TREATMENT
The damage caused to the brain is irreversible. However, physical therapy, speech therapy , surgery and medication can lessen the effects of this damage in many cases.

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SOURCES

• The developing child book pg.159
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html
• http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46786
• Pictures from google