Cerebral Palsy in Children
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy (also called CP) is a term for a group of disabilities that affect children in the first few years of life. Children with CP have trouble controlling their muscles and coordinating body movements. They may have stiff or weak muscles, which can cause them to make unusual muscle movements. Babies with CP may be slow to roll over, sit, crawl, smile or walk.
What are different types of CP?
There are 3 types of CP:
- Spastic CP: The most common form of CP, which causes the muscles to stiffen and makes movement difficult. Spastic CP can affect just one side of the body, both legs or both arms and both legs.
- Athetotic CP: Not as common as Spastic CP. Athetotic CP causes uncontrolled, slow body movements and affects the entire body.
- Ataxic CP: The least common form of CP. Ataxic CP affects balance and coordination.
Some children will show signs of more than one type of CP. This is referred to as a mixed form of CP.
Cerebral palsy can be mild or severe. A child with mild CP may have awkward movements but they may require little or no assistance. A child with severe CP may not be able to walk, may have trouble speaking and may require lifelong care and assistance.
Cerebral palsy can be mild or severe. A child with mild CP may have awkward movements but they may require little or no assistance. A child with severe CP may not be able to walk, may have trouble speaking and may require lifelong care and assistance.
What are the symptoms of CP?
The symptoms of cerebral palsy do not get worse over time, and they include:
- Stiff muscles or muscles that are too floppy
- Uncontrolled movements
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty walking (for example, one foot or leg may drag)
- Difficulty with fine motor control (for example, difficulty with writing or buttoning a shirt)
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing or eating
- Excessive drooling
- Seizures
Children with CP sometimes have additional health problems. These can include problems with vision, problems with hearing or developmental delays.
What causes CP?
Risk factors for CP
- Infection, such as rubella, in a pregnant mother
- Problems with blood circulation in the brain before birth
- Abnormal brain development
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Babies in a feet-first (breech) position at the beginning of labor
- Difficult labor and delivery
- Severe jaundice in newborns
- Infections in the baby after birth, such as bacterial meningitis
- Head injuries after birth
Normally, the brains sends out messages telling the body exactly how to move and exactly when to move. Children with CP have damage to the part of the brain that sends out these messages. This affects the way a child with CP talks, walks and moves. The brain damage can occur before the child is born, during birth or in the first few years of life. In most cases, CP is present at birth.
How can my doctor tell if my child has CP?
Your doctor will look at your child's muscles, posture and reflexes. He or she will also ask you about your child's physical development. Your doctor may also order special tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to see if there is any damage to the brain.
What are the treatment options?
There is currently no cure for CP. If your child has CP, your doctor will help you create a treatment plan. Part of the treatment plan may include:
- Physical therapy: Exercise and muscle training will help your child with balance, flexibility, coordination and strength. Physical therapy can also help your child learn to use crutches, braces, splints or a wheelchair if necessary.
- Speech therapy: A speech therapist can help your child with speaking, swallowing and eating.
- Occupational therapy: This type of therapy teaches your child how to help take care of themselves as well as fine motor skills, such as writing.
- Medications: Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to ease muscle stiffness. If your child has seizures, your doctor may also suggest an anticonvulsant medication.
- Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery if your child's muscles or tendons are very stiff and limit the range of motion in the arms and legs.
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 11/07
Created: 07/06