Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a broad condition and a major reason for disability in Pediatric population.  In India 3 out of 1000 live birth is affected with cerebral palsy. Many of these cases were found in rural community, where rehabilitation is still need to reach.

The cause of Cerebral palsy is not known but lot of risk factors identified, some of them are;

1.      Prematurity

2.     Very low birth weight (lesser than 2.5kg)

3.     Virus infection

4.     Chemical or substance abuse during pregnance

5.     Trauma

6.     Complications of labor and delivery 

Cerebral palsy manifests with various symptoms, based on which it is divided into several types;

1.      Spastic

2.     Flaccid

3.     Ataxic

4.     Athetoid

Apart from the above these childrens may have some more additional problems

Like; Seizures, Vision, hearing, speech problems, Learning disabilities, behavior problems, Intellectual disability, Respiratory problems, Bowel and bladder problems, Bone abnormalities, scoliosis etc.

Identifying Child with Cerebral Palsy:

Cerebral palsy is usually identified by delay in milestone, that is, it takes longer duration to learn turning in lying, sit up from lying, stand from sitting position, balance in standing and make steps. All will get delayed. Sometimes the child might not achieve certain milestone, which dependent upon the extent of nerve damage.

Doctor will identify a Child with Cerebral palsy by age 6 months to 1 year. Parent may seek help if there is a delay in milestone. Brighter side is, almost half of the children’s with Milestone will grow out of this by age 2.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition; in current scientific development it is not possible to completely cure the condition. The management should focus on minimizing the deformity and improving the Childs ability to cope with the growing demands of the society. For an effective management it needs a Multidisciplinary team that includes Physiotherapist, Speech therapist, Occupational therapist, Orthotist, Opthalmologist, Neurologist, Pediatrition and Dentist.

 Information in this particular blog is meant to reach those communities and if I could get meaningful queries on cerebral palsy and its management by this blog, I will be more than happy.