Cerebral palsy

Question 1

What is cerebral palsy?

Answer 1

A group of movement disorders.
A permanent neurological problem as a result of damage to the brain.
Causes a non progressive motor deficit.

Question 2

How does cerebral palsy progress?

Answer 2

It is NOT progressive - but symptoms and presentation may change over time as the child develops.

Question 3

what are the anti-natal causes of cerebral palsy?

Answer 3

maternal infection

trauma during pregnancy

Question 4

What are the perinatal causes of cerebral palsy?

Answer 4

Birth asphyxia (reduced oxygen to the brain)
Preterm birth

Question 5

What are the post natal causes of cerebral palsy?

Answer 5

Meningitis
Severe neonatal jaundice
Head injury

Question 6

Which nerves in the brain are damaged due to cerebral palsy?

Answer 6

Upper motor neurones

Question 7

What are the 3 types of cerebral palsy?

Answer 7

Spastic/pyramidal
Dyskinetic/extrapyramidal
Ataxic

Question 8

Where does the damage occur in spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 8

Periventricular damage - damage to the pyramidal pathways

Question 9

What are the signs of spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 9

Scissor walking
hypertonia
Hyperreflexia
Exaggerated movements
Limited mobility.
Abnormal gait.
Crossed knees.
Joints don't full extend.
Walking on tiptoes.
Contractures.
clasp knife
hip and elbow flexion
plantar flexion of foot

Question 10

What are the 4 patterns of spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 10

Monoplegia - 1 limb
Hemiplegia - 1 side of body
Diplegia - all limbs but legs worse
Quadriplegia - all limbs bad

Question 11

What are general signs of cerebral palsy?

Answer 11

Hand preference before 18 months
hyper/hypotonia
feeding or swallowing problems
learning difficulties
coordination problems
speech problems
walking problems

Question 12

Where is the damage in dyskinetic cerebral palsy?

Answer 12

Basal ganglia

Question 13

What are the main signs in dyskinetic cerebral palsy?

Answer 13

Athetoid movements
Squinting and uncontrollable eye movements.
Developmental delays, such as not sitting up, crawling, standing, walking, or reaching for objects at the expected age.

Question 14

Where is the damage in ataxic cerebral palsy?

Answer 14

To the cerebellum

Question 15

What are the signs in ataxic cerebral palsy?

Answer 15

Walking with feet spread far apart.
Trouble bringing hands together.
Unsteady gait.
Trouble grasping objects.
Over-correcting movements.
Trouble with repetitious movements.
Struggling with speech.
Slow eye movements.

Question 16

What are other diseases common in children with cerebral palsy?

Answer 16

Learning disabilities
kyphoskoliosis
muscle contraction
hearing loss
vision loss
gastrooesophageal reflux