Cerebral Palsy

Question 1

What is cerebral palsy?

Answer 1

A disorder of movement and posture where there are non-progressive lesions of the motor tract during the development of the brain.

Question 2

Risk factors for cerebral palsy

Answer 2

Antenatal - CMV, toxoplasmosis, ?
Intranatal - trauma, asphyxiation
Postnatal - Trauma, meningitis

Question 3

Type of cerebral palsy and their pathophysiologies

Answer 3

Pyramidal tracts/motor cortex - Spastic CP (distal limb movements)
Basal ganglia - Involuntary - Dyskinetic CP (increased tone)
Cerebellum - Ataxic CP (walking/coordination difficulties)

Spastic
Ataxic

Question 4

Spastic CP - describe

Answer 4

SpaSTIFF muscles
Muscles on the inside of our legs become very strong so pull legs inwards, creating scissoring

Scissor walking
Toe walking
Arm flexion

Upper motor neurons are affected

Question 5

Dyskinetic CP

Answer 5

Basal ganglia normally prevents unnecessary movements

Therefore causes involuntary movements

Question 6

Ataxic CP

Answer 6

Uncoordinated movement e.g. when picking something up or walking

Question 7

What other problems arise from CP?

Answer 7

Sleep problems
Eating problems
Vision problems
Learning difficulties
Hearing difficulties