Cerebral Palsy Flashcards
Definition of Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture.
It is caused by damage to the developing brain, typically before or during birth, but can also occur during infancy or early childhood.
CP is characterized by impaired motor function and may be associated with other conditions such as intellectual disabilities, seizures, and sensory impairments.
Causes of Cerebral palsy
Prenatal causes: Infections during pregnancy, maternal health issues, exposure to toxins, genetic factors, or complications during fetal development.
Perinatal causes: Oxygen deprivation during childbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, maternal infections, or placental abnormalities.
Postnatal causes: Brain injuries due to infections, head trauma, shaken baby syndrome, or other acquired brain injuries after birth.
Symptoms of Cerebral palsy
Abnormal muscle tone: Hypertonia or Hypotonia
Motor impairment: Difficulty with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and posture. Movements may be jerky, uncoordinated, or exaggerated.
Spasticity: Increased muscle stiffness and tightness, leading to involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal limb positions.
Impaired mobility: Difficulties with walking, crawling, or controlling movement.
Speech and communication difficulties: Problems with speech articulation, voice control, and language development.
Intellectual disabilities: Ranging from mild to severe.
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Cerebral palsy
Medical history: Assessing the child’s developmental milestones, pregnancy and birth history, and any known risk factors.
Physical examination: Evaluating muscle tone, reflexes, coordination, posture, and motor skills.
Neuroimaging: Brain imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans may be performed to identify any brain abnormalities or injuries.
Developmental assessment: Assessing cognitive, language, and motor skills to determine the extent of impairment and associated conditions.
DDx:
Genetic disorders: Conditions like muscular dystrophy, Rett syndrome, or metabolic disorders may have overlapping features with CP.
Spinal cord injuries: Traumatic or non-traumatic injuries to the spinal cord can cause movement impairments that may mimic CP.
Neuromuscular disorders: Conditions like spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, or neuropathies can present with muscle weakness and motor deficits.
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD): DCD involves coordination difficulties without significant muscle tone abnormalities or neurological impairments.
Treatment of Cerebral palsy
Physical therapy: Exercises and interventions to improve muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, and mobility.
Occupational therapy: Techniques to enhance fine motor skills, self-care abilities, and adaptive strategies for daily activities.
Speech therapy: Techniques to improve speech articulation, communication skills, and language development
Medications: Medications such as muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, or botulinum toxin injections may be used to manage spasticity and muscle stiffness.
Assistive devices: Mobility aids, orthotics, wheelchairs, communication devices, and adaptive equipment can help improve independence and mobility.
Complications of Cerebral palsy
Contractures: Permanent shortening of muscles and tendons, leading to joint deformities and reduced range of motion.
Orthopedic problems: Scoliosis, hip dislocation, joint abnormalities, and bone deformities may occur.
Gastrointestinal issues: Difficulties with swallowing, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and constipation may be present.
Breathing difficulties: Severe muscle involvement can affect respiratory muscles and lead to respiratory problems.
Intellectual disabilities: Some individuals with CP may have cognitive impairments.
