Cerebral Palsy Flashcards
What is cerebral palsy?
Group of movement disorders resulting from damage to brain around time of birth
Antenatal aetiologies of cerebral palsy
Maternal infections
Trauma during pregnancy
Perinatal aetiologies of cerebral palsy
Birth asphyxia
Pre-term birth
Post-natal aetiologies of cerebral palsy
Meningitis
Severe neonatal jaundice
Head injury
Classification of cerebral palsy
Spastic (pyramidal)
Dyskinetic (method/extrapyramidal)
Ataxic
Mixed
Describe spastic (pyramidal) cerebral palsy
Hypertonia(increased tone) and reduced function resulting from damage toupper motor neurones
Describe dyskinetic (athetoid/extrapyramidal) cerebral palsy
Problems controllingmuscle tone, withhypertoniaandhypotonia, causingathetoid movementsandoro-motorproblems
The result of damage to thebasal ganglia.
Describe ataxic cerebral palsy
Problems withcoordinated movementresulting from damage to thecerebellum
Describe mixed cerebral palsy
A mix of spastic, dyskinetic and/or ataxic features
Clinical features of cerebral palsy
Failure to meet milestones
Increased or decreased tone, generally or in specific limbs
Hand preference below 18 months is a key sign to remember for exams
Problems with coordination, speech or walking
Feeding or swallowing problems
Stiff or weak muscles
Tremor
Learning difficulties
Management of cerebral palsy
Specialist input
MDT
Orthopaedic surgery to lengthen tendons
Muscle relaxants e.g. baclofen for spasticity and contractures
Anti-epileptics
Glycopyrronium bromide for excessive drooling
Complications and association conditions of cerebral palsy
Learning disability
Epilepsy
Kyphoscoliosis
Muscle contractures
Hearing and visual impairment
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
