A Parent's Guide to Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Children
Birth Defects Associated With Cerebral Palsy In Children
5 min read
Miscellaneous
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination. CP is caused by damage to the developing brain, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Children with CP may have difficulty with motor function, speech, and other developmental milestones. In this blog, we will explore birth defects associated with cerebral palsy in children.
What Is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. CP is caused by damage to the developing brain, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.
There Are Various Types of CP:
Some people have a combination of the following personality traits, while others are predisposed to only one or the other-
Spastic cerebral palsy causes muscle rigidity and difficulty moving.
Cerebral palsy with ataxia affects balance and depth perception (judging the distance between two objects).
Risk Factors:
Risk Factors for Birth Defects Associated with Cerebral Palsy in Children:
Multiple gestations: The risk of cerebral palsy is increased in multiple births, including twins and triplets, especially if one of the siblings passes away during pregnancy or soon after birth.
Fever during pregnancy: A mother's fever can cause cerebral palsy during pregnancy or childbirth, which can result in brain damage to the foetus.
Exposure to toxins and hazardous wastes: Exposure to toxins like methyl mercury, found in some thermometers and seafood, during pregnancy can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in the child.
Infections during pregnancy: Infections of the womb and placenta with toxins like toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes can result in neurologic damage and increase the risk of cerebral palsy in the child.
Infertility treatments: Children born to mothers who used specific infertility treatments during pregnancy are at increased risk of cerebral palsy due to higher rates of preterm births and multiple pregnancies.
Low birth weight or premature birth: Children born preterm or underweight have a higher risk of cerebral palsy than those born at full term.
Maternal and foetal blood types vary: If the mother and foetus have different Rh factors, it can lead to brain damage and increase the risk of cerebral palsy.
Complicated labour and delivery: Infants with cardiac or respiratory problems during or after birth are at increased risk of developing cerebral palsy.
Jaundice: Severe cases of jaundice, if left untreated, can lead to cerebral palsy.
Seizures: Infants with epilepsy are more likely to develop cerebral palsy.
Other pregnancy-related medical conditions: Medical conditions like problems with the thyroid, intellectual/developmental disabilities, high protein levels in urine, and seizures can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in the child.
Additional Factors Contributing to Cerebral Palsy:
Infancy: It is more common for infants to suffer brain damage than older children, making them more susceptible to cerebral palsy.
Injury: Babies can develop cerebral palsy if safety precautions aren't taken or if they are unsupervised.
Not getting vaccines: Childhood vaccinations can help prevent cerebral palsy.
Prematurity or low birth weight: Children with cerebral palsy are more likely to be born prematurely or underweight.
Causes:
The causes of CP vary and can include brain damage from a lack of oxygen during birth, head trauma, infections during pregnancy, and genetic mutations.
In many cases, the cause of CP is unknown.
Complications:
Children with CP may experience a range of complications, including developmental delays, seizures, hearing or vision problems, and difficulty with fine motor skills. These complications can affect the child's ability to function independently.
Screening and Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
The health of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families depends on early detection. Several steps can be taken in the diagnosis of CP-
Observation of Child Growth and Development
Screening for Potential Problems in Child Development
Medical and Developmental Evaluations
Is There a Treatment for Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy has no known cure. However, there are several treatment options available for children with cerebral palsy, including:
Physical therapy: improves muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, coordination, and walking.
Occupational therapy: improves daily activities, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
Speech therapy: improves communication, swallowing, and feeding skills.
Medications: muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and botulinum toxin injections can relieve muscle pain and stiffness.
Surgery: corrects hip dislocations, scoliosis, and lengthens muscles or tendons.
Assistive devices: braces, wheelchairs, and other devices improve mobility and independence.
Nutritional support: registered dietitian helps ensure proper nutrition for overall health and bone health.
Prevention:
While there is no surefire way to prevent CP, there are steps that pregnant women can take to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
These steps include seeking regular prenatal care, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and getting vaccinated against infectious diseases.
Are you pregnant or expecting to become pregnant?
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have about CP or other birth defects.
Pregnancy complications can be minimized by following these guidelines:
Seek regular prenatal care.
Avoid smoking and alcohol.
Get vaccinated against infectious diseases.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Conclusion
Cerebral palsy is a complex disorder that can have a significant impact on a child's life. While there is no cure for CP, early intervention and treatment can help improve function and quality of life. If you are concerned about CP or other birth defects, talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
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