Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (C.P.) results from temporary unavailability of oxygen to the brain of infant. This can be contributed by prematurity, neonatal convulsion, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, neonatal jaundice etc. A child with Cerebral Palsy may demonstrate developmental delay. Their milestones are delayed compared to their peers. If they remain untreated, gradually they develop joint deformities & lose their walking ability.

Single Event Multilevel Surgery for Cerebral Palsy (SEMLS): The adolescents with Cerebral Palsy develop fixed contractures & joint deformities. These patients require surgical procedures to improve their walking balance and endurance. We prefer to perform these procedures in one stage (SEMLS). SEMLS helps reducing “in-plaster” time for patient & facilitates better rehabilitation.

 

Caused due to the occurrence of damage in the parts of the brain that control movement, balance and posture, cerebral palsy is a permanent movement disorder. It appears in the early childhood and the signs and symptoms vary from person to person.

CP occurs due to brain damage caused by injury or abnormal development of the brain during its development.

Individuals suffering from this disorder have different problems, one might suffer from total paralysis and other might have slight movement tremors and require little assistance.

It is not life threatening and the disorder does not aggravate but is incurable, hence becomes permanent. Cerebral Palsy is the most common movement disorder in children and about 2.1 per 1000 babies suffer from it all over the world.

Three children out of 1000 in India suffer with this disorder and health experts have argued that they have average intelligence and should be included given mainstream education.

General symptoms

– Poor coordination
– Stiff muscles
– Weak muscles
– Tremors
– Problems in sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking

Identification of the disorder

Infants or babies suffering from cerebral palsy have difficulty in rolling over, crawling, walking or sitting. Trouble in thinking or reasoning occurs only in one third of people suffering from CP.

When does the problem develop?

The problem mostly develops during pregnancy but in some cases during childbirth or shortly after that. A child is more prone to this impairment if

– it is a premature birth
– twins are born
– there are infections during pregnancy
– head trauma occurs in the first few years of life
However, it is believed that 2% cases are due to an inherited genetic cause.

What is the prevention?

With some immunization of the mother and efforts to prevent head injuries in children, it is partly preventable. But there is no cure for it.

Physical and speech therapy, medications and surgery have helped many leading them to have nearly normal adult life.