Cerebral palsy: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

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Definition

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy or cerebral palsy is the name of a group of conditions that affect the muscles and nerves. This disease is not congenital, but starts from the early stages of life, namely from birth.

There are three types of cerebral palsy (CP), spastic (most common), dyskinetic, and ataxic.

Cerebral palsy or cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that will not worsen. Most children with cerebral palsy can have normal daily activities as well.

Some people have mild disease and can live a fairly normal life while others experience more severe symptoms.

Many people have normal levels of intelligence despite severe physical disabilities.

How common is this condition?

Cerebral palsy is a condition of developmental disorders in children that can occur in newborns and young children.

Launching from Healthy Children, children with CP have brain disorders to control motor movements.

This condition causes various types of motor disabilities that vary from mild to profound.

Children with cerebral palsy tend to have great difficulty walking or may not be able to walk at all.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a condition that can be mild, moderate, or severe. Basically, cerebral palsy occurs when a child's motor development is not well developed.

Here are some signs of cerebral palsy in children according to their age:

Infants under 6 months of age

In general, the following signs or symptoms of cerebral palsy appear in babies under 6 months:

• Do not raise your head when you take his hand.
• His body limped.
• When hugged, his body moves away from you.
• When the body is lifted, the legs become stiff and the legs are crossed.

Infants over 6 months

For babies over 6 months, here are the symptoms:

• Sticking out with just one hand while making a fist.
• Difficulty chewing food.

Infants over 10 months of age

Meanwhile, in babies aged 10 months, the symptoms that may be seen are:

• Crawling on your side, pushing with one hand and dragging your foot.
• Moving the buttocks while sitting without crawling.

Various things that have been mentioned are part of the motor development of the baby which is a sign that your little one has cerebral palsy.

Types of cerebral palsy

Basically, the symptoms of cerebral palsy include abnormal arm and leg movements, babies having difficulty eating, to bad muscle shape early in life.

But apart from that, slow development of walking and speaking, abnormal posture, muscle spasms, stiff body, poor coordination, and angry looking eyes can also be other characteristics.

Reporting from the Cerebral Palsy Guidance, there are 4 types of cerebral palsy that you need to understand to distinguish each symptom and sign.

Spastic cerebral palsy

About 75 percent of cerebral palsy is spastic. In children with cerebral spastic palsy, they usually have muscles that are narrowed with stiff movements, especially in the legs, arms and back.

Uncontrolled motor movements also cause difficulties in the following areas:

• Controlling muscles
• Difficulty moving from one position to another
• Muscle stiffness and spasms
• Movement is made abnormal
• Inhibits movement

Spastic also has other derivatives which are divided according to the condition of the child. Such as spastic quadriplegia which affects the upper and lower body of the child which greatly limits movement and mobility.

There is also spastic diplegia which affects the lower part of the body. Usually, children who suffer from this can still walk but need a walking aid.

Finally, there is spastic hemiplegia which affects only one side of the body and usually affects the arms rather than the legs. Children who experience this are mostly able to walk.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy

This type is the second most common cerebral palsy. Symptoms include:

• Dystonia, the child makes repetitive and circular movements.
• Athetosis, wriggling movements.
• Chorea, children's movements that are unpredictable and difficult to control.
• Difficulty swallowing and speaking.
• Bad posture.

Ataxic cerebral palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a condition that affects the entire body so that the child has balance and coordination problems.

The child appears to have slow, uncontrolled movements and poor muscle shape that makes it difficult for them to sit up and walk.

Mixed cerebral palsy

Symptoms of mixed cerebral palsy are a combination of the two or three types of cerebral palsy described above. However, the most common mixtures are spastic and dyskinetic.

Given that cerebral palsy is a condition that involves the performance of the brain and muscles, sometimes children with CP can have learning, hearing, or seeing difficulties, or mental retardation.

When should your child see a doctor?

Cerebral palsy is a disease that needs special handling. Early diagnosis can help prevent many symptoms and better control the disease.

If you notice any of the above signs and symptoms or problems with coordination and muscle function in your child, consult your doctor.

Cause

What causes cerebral palsy?

The cause of cerebral palsy is due to an injury to the part of the brain that controls the ability to use muscles.

Cerebral means related to the brain. Palsy means weakness or difficulty using muscles.

Some other causes that can cause children to experience cerebral palsy are as follows:

• Genetic mutations are a major factor in abnormal development.
• Infection in pregnant women that affects fetal development.
• The fetus has a stroke which disrupts the blood supply to the brain.
• Infection in babies that causes inflammation in or around the brain.
• Head injury to the baby due to an accident or fall while still in the womb.
• Lack of oxygen supply to the brain associated with childbirth.

Risk Factors

What increases the risk of this disease?

Apart from those already mentioned above, there are a number of factors that are associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy from the aspects of maternal, fetal and uterine health.

Health of pregnant women

Without realizing it, exposure to hazardous chemicals can be toxic while pregnant and significantly increase the risk of cerebral palsy in babies.

Infections that need attention include:

• Herpes during pregnancy that is passed from mother to child during pregnancy
• Toxoplasmosis parasitic infection
• Zika virus infection
• The mother experiences an injury or infection during pregnancy.
• Pregnancy disorders that make the fetus not get enough oxygen in the womb

Mothers who have zika infection, can cause the child's head size to be smaller than normal (microcephaly) and can cause cerebral palsy.

Meanwhile, toxoplasmosis parasite infections are commonly found in food that is not cooked, or exposed to something contaminated with soil, as well as cat feces.

Newborns disease

In addition to the health and condition of the mother, diseases suffered by babies when they are newborn can also increase the risk of cerebral palsy, namely:

• Bacterial meningitis
• Bleeding in the brain

The condition of brain bleeding is caused by a baby having a stroke in the womb. Meanwhile, a bacterial meningitis infection causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Birth factor

The risk of cerebral palsy increases due to birth factors, some of which are:

• The condition of a breech baby
• Low birth weight (LBW)
• Twins
• Babies are born prematurely

Babies who are less than 28 weeks pregnant are at risk of developing cerebral palsy. The earlier you are born, the greater your risk of developing cerebral palsy.

Meanwhile, babies weighing less than 2.5 kilograms are at high risk of developing CP and the likelihood is greater when birth weight is also reduced.

More details

Impact

What effects can cerebral palsy have?

Here are some of the effects that can occur due to cerebral palsy:

1. Cognitive disabilities or intellectual disabilities

About one-third to half of children who have cerebral palsy have poor cognitive development or cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

This disability occurs most often in those with spastic quadriplegia, in which several limbs are affected.

Those with the combined condition of cerebral palsy and epilepsy are at high risk for intellectual disabilities. Learning disabilities also complicate people with cerebral palsy.

2. Vision problems

According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, about 1 in 10 people with cerebral palsy have vision problems. Then, 1 in 25 CP people have severe hearing problems.

Vision problems may put you at risk of crossed eyes. Where crossed eyes can affect the eye's ability to know how far or near something is being seen.

If the vision problem is just blurred eyes, minus eyes, and cylinders, wearing glasses or contact lenses might improve this condition.

3. Difficulty controlling certain muscles

The complications that can occur with cerebral palsy are that it can result in the inability to control certain muscles. Generally, muscles such as the muscles of the lips, jaw, throat and tongue.

This often results in people with cerebral palsy who cannot hold their saliva, have difficulty chewing, and have difficulty swallowing.

These problems often interfere with their ability to eat a healthy diet and are at risk of malnutrition.

4. Scoliosis and short limbs

Children with cerebral palsy can experience a shortening of half of their body, it can be in the legs and arms.

The difference between the left and right legs is about 5 cm and it is necessary to consult an orthopedist if any shortening occurs.

Depending on the degree of difference in the height of the two legs, if it is severe, a lift will be carried out to equalize the height.

This is necessary to prevent pelvic tilt, which can cause curvature of the spine or scoliosis. Sometimes surgical operations are needed to correct your child's scoliosis.

5. Problems with teeth

Many children with CP are at risk of developing oral disease due to poor hygiene.

Chewing difficulties and poor children's discussion development are also the causes of gingivitis and cavities for children with special needs.

Not only that, children also experience defects in tooth enamel which make teeth more susceptible to damage.

Medicines that are consumed, such as medications for seizures and asthma, can affect the formation of holes in the teeth.

6. Hearing loss

Some children with cerebral palsy experience partial or even complete hearing loss. This condition is caused by severe jaundice or lack of oxygen (anoxia) at birth.

A sign of a child's hearing not functioning properly is when he doesn't blink when he hears loud sounds when he is 1 month old.

The child also does not turn to the source of the sound at 3-4 months of age or does not say a word when the baby is 12 months old. Don't forget to discuss with your doctor for further consultation.

7. Joint problems

Children who have spastic cerebral palsy often have problems with joints. Such as hardening of the joints due to the uneven pulling of muscles from one muscle to another.

Please consult a physiotherapist to stretch the muscles in children to prevent stiffening of the joints again.

8. Problems with body reflexes

Half of CP children have problems with body reflexes. For example, a child with CP may not be able to feel when their hands, feet, or arms are touched or hit by something.

When a child's hands are relaxed, they cannot move their fingers without looking at their fingers.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests?

Cerebral palsy is a disease that requires special treatment. The doctor will carefully examine the child's physicality and movements.

The doctor may order tests to confirm CP, including CT and MRI of the brain, ultrasound, and nerve conduction tests.

What are the treatment options for cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is an incurable condition, but symptoms and disabilities can be helped with physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, and surgery.

Physical therapy helps children develop stronger muscles and work with skills such as walking, sitting, and balance.

Certain tools, such as a metal leg support, or bandage, may also be of use to your child.

With occupational therapy, children develop good motor skills, for example to wear clothes, eat, and write.

Speech and language therapy helps children with their speaking skills. Children and families are assisted with support, special education, and related services.

Therapy for children with cerebral palsy

Although cerebral palsy is an incurable disease, there are several therapies that can be done to improve children's abilities, as reported by the Mayo Clinic:

physical training

This form of physical exercise therapy can help a child's muscle strength, flexibility, balance, motor development, and mobility.

Forms of training such as grasping an object, rolling, controlling the movement of the head and body. After that, the therapist will train the child to use a wheelchair.

In practicing with an expert therapist, you can learn how to safely and comfortably care for your child's daily needs at home, such as bathing, feeding, and more.

Speech and language therapy

Children with cerebral palsy have difficulty speaking and tend to speak late.

To practice your child's speech skills, you need a linguist who can improve their communication skills, at least in sign language.

If they have difficulty communicating, they will also teach children to use other communication tools, such as computers and cell phones.

Speech therapy can also treat chewing and swallowing difficulties.

Recreational therapy

The purpose of this therapy is outdoor activities that make children move more so that their motor skills are trained.

Take for example riding a horse, walking on the grass. This type of therapy can help children improve their motor skills, speech, and emotional development.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat this condition?

The lifestyle and home remedies below may help treat cerebral palsy:

• Avoid risks such as German measles during pregnancy.
• Contact your doctor about medications that help reduce symptoms.
• Find out the schools with special education and related services for children.
• Be positive about people with CP.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Nutrition for children with cerebral palsy conditions

Launched the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute, children with cerebral palsy more at risk of experiencing malnutrition.

Causes can range from the inability to eat on their own, disturbances when chewing and swallowing, to the form of food that has to be modified.

Several ways to fulfill the nutrition of children with cerebral palsy are:

Modify the form of food and children's meal portions

Sometimes it is necessary to modify the shape, portion, and menu of the child's diet so that the child can eat more.

You may need to chop and puree food, or add stock, milk, and gravy to make it easier for your child to eat.

If your little one is classified as having difficulty eating, try to divide the main meal portion that was three times a day into 5-6 times with smaller portions.

Provide food through a tube when needed

Some children with cerebral palsy unable to chew and swallow properly making it difficult for parents to meet their nutritional needs.

The only way is to feed it through a tube.

Tube feeding is also carried out when the child can only eat small amounts of food.

In this way, parents can still meet the nutritional needs of children with cerebral palsy optimally. The risk of side effects is also smaller.

Provide supplement intake

Therefore, doctors and nutritionists will provide supplements containing vitamins, minerals, protein, or calories because they find it difficult to get the nutrition needed by toddlers.

Although it is effective in meeting the nutritional needs of children with cerebral palsy, supplementation must be done as recommended by doctors and nutritionists.

This is because the dosage and form of supplements needed are different for each child.