CEREBRAL PALSY By: Micah Archer

What is Cerebral Palsy? It is commonly referred to as CP, it is loss or impairment of motor function caused by brain damage. The damage is caused by brain injury or abnormal brain development while the child’s brain is developing. Usually before birth, during birth, or immediately after. CP commonly affects muscle movement, muscle control, reflex, posture, balance, fine and gross motor skills.

Personal Connection

Symptoms and signs? Oral motor dysfunction like swallowing and feeding, speech impairment, and muscle tone in the face. Seizures, sensory impairment, and learning disabilities. – these 3 clinical diagnosis of it The most common sign is developmental delay usually in developmental milestones. Such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking. Many symptoms are not noticeable at birth unless they are unusual cases. Many children are not diagnosed until about the 3-5 year mark when you can really see developmental delay In certain cases, if the delivery was very traumatic doctors will suspect cerebral palsy and watch the child’s development closely. In my brothers case, my parents didn’t notice a delay until about 2 years.

Causes? Caused by damage to the developing brain. You can increase the risk of a child developing CP through abuse, accidents, negligence, or the spread of a bacterial or viral infection( pregnancy) some illnesses occur like Rubella and Meningitis There are 4 different types of brain damage that can cause CP. Damage to white matter(tissue) in the brain Brain malformation or abnormal brain development lack of oxygen to the brain or Asphyxia- most common intracranial hemorrhage CP is not a disease you can get through contact, it is not hereditary or contagious. CP is a chronic disorder, once you have been diagnosed you will have it for life

How if affects the body? Every person is affected differently. Not every child who has CP is completely mentally disabled, just depends. My brother has the mind of about a 3 year. He understands what I say, cannot communicate back. Some people will only experience minor motor skill problems. Others are completely dependent on others. CP will distort messages from the brain to cause increased muscle tension or the complete opposite. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent at the wrong time or to the wrong muscle. Causing confusion and erratic movement of the muscle. 4 different types of CP: Spastic- most common, stiffness or tightness of muscles. Athetoid- uncontrolled movements Ataxic- least common. Many tremors and loss of balance and coordination Mixed Type- different kinds

Treatments? Every person that is diagnosed will have a different case so treatment is different. Therapy is a treatment to usually help strengthen the muscles. Some surgery can help with mobility. But surgery on the brain cannot reverse CP. My brother had surgery on his legs at 6 Treatment is really to minimize pain, increase mobility, maximize independence, increase the ability to communicate. Etc. The brain does not “heal” like other parts of the body does. The damage is permanent. The CP will not worsen or get better over a lifetime, but associative conditions may worsen. Like seizures and mobility.

Living with CP? This condition is very livable, people can live to up to adulthood. Given the fact if they are in good standing health wise. Hayden lives in CHDC here in Conway. Depending on the condition some people require more care.

Sources CerebralPasly.org Mayoclinic.org