Cerebral Palsy

Question 1

Is cerebral palsy progressive (does it get worse over time) or non-progressive?

Answer 1

NON-PROGRESSIVE :)

Low birth weight infants are at highest risk (ie. Colton Mullen)

Question 2

Is the etiology of CP fully known? If so, what are known causes?

Answer 2

80% of CP cases are of unknown cause.

Known causes include shaken baby syndrome/child abuse, bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, and motor vehicle accidents. ** these neuro diagnoses can result in CP when they occur prenatally up to 2 years of age **

Question 3

How many types of CP are there?

Answer 3

4 types of CP:

Spastic CP- stiff, difficult movement, poor posture control

Dyskinetic- athetotic CP- abnormal, involuntary and uncontrolled movement (worm-like) that disappear when asleep

Ataxic CP- disturbed sense of balance and depth perception; wide gait; (ataxia- poor muscle control that causes clumsy voluntary movements)

Rigid CP- resistant to movement with severe contractures

Question 4

Can CP result in co-occurring difficulties for the diagnosed child?

Answer 4

YES!

Co-occurring problems/disabilities to CP include:
-visual and hearing impairments (including nystagmus and amblyopia- lazy eye)
-communication and speech difficulties
-seizures
-oral-motor dysfunction = risk for aspiration, respiratory problems, and GERD