Cerebral Palsy

Question 1

What is cererbral palsy

Answer 1

Name given to permanent neurological problems resulting from damage to the brain around the time of birth.

Question 2

Antenatal causes of cerebral palsy

Answer 2

Maternal infections and trauma during pregnancy

Question 3

Perinatal causes of cerebral palsy

Answer 3

Birth asphyxia and pre-term birth

Question 4

Post natal causes of cerebral palsy

Answer 4

Meningitis, severe neonatal jaundice, head injury

Question 5

Types of cerebral palsy

Answer 5

Spastic
Dyskinetic
Ataxic
Mixed

Question 6

Patterns of cerebral palsy

Answer 6

Monoplegia, hemiplegia, diplegia, and quadriplegia

Question 7

Signs of spastic CP

Answer 7

hypertonia, reduced function resulting from UMN damage

Question 8

Signs of dyskinetic CP

Answer 8

Problems controlling muscle tone, with hypertonia and hypotonia, causing athetoid movements and oro-motor problems. Result of basal ganglia damage

Question 9

Signs of ataxic CP

Answer 9

Problems with coordinated movement resulting from damage to the cerebellum

Question 10

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy during development

Answer 10

Failing to meet milestones.
Hand preference before 18 months
Problems with coordination and walking
Problems with speech
Increased or decreased tone
Feeding or swallowing problems
Learning difficulties

Question 11

Complications and associated conditions

Answer 11

Learning disability
Epilepsy
Kyphoscoliosis
Muscles contractures
Hearing and visual impairment
GORD

Question 12

Management of CP

Answer 12

MDT approach - physiotherapy, occupational therapy, SALT, dieticians, orthopaedic surgeons, social workers, paediatricians

Question 13

Medical management

Answer 13

Muscle relaxants (baclofen) for muscle spasticity and contractures.
Anti-epileptics
Glycopyrronium bromide for excessive drooling