Cerebral Palsy Flashcards

1
Q

Definition

A

Non-progressive disease of the brain originates during the antenatal perinatal or early postnatal period.
- results in motor or postural disorders with spasticity.
- Less commonly Px can develop chorea, ataxia or dystonia

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2
Q

Aetiology

A

Antenatal (80%)
Perinatal (10%)
Postnatal (10%)

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3
Q

Antenatal Risk Factors

A
  • Premature birth
  • Multiple births
  • Maternal illness: chorioamnionitis, TORCH infections, thyroid disease
  • Foetal brain malformation
  • Lower socioeconomic status
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4
Q

Perinatal Risk Factors

A
  • Asphyxia
  • Birth trauma
  • Non-vertex presentation
  • Placental abruption
  • Uterine rupture
  • Prolonged/obstructed labour
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5
Q

Postnatal Risk Factors

A
  • Neonatal sepsis
  • Meningitis
  • Respiratory distress
  • Hyperbilirubinaemia
  • Intraventricular haemorrhage: spontaneous, head injury, NAI
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6
Q

Classification

A

Spastic (70%):
- subtypes include hemiplegia, diplegia or quadriplegia
- increased tone resulting from damage to upper motor neurons
Dyskinetic
- caused by damage to the basal ganglia and the substantia nigra
- athetoid movements and oro-motor problems
Ataxic
- caused by damage to the cerebellum with typical cerebellar signs
Mixed

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7
Q

Signs

A

Gross motor delay:
- not sitting by 6 m
- not walking at 12-18 m
Delayed speech development: talking in short sentences by 2 years
Cognitive impairment
Retention of primitive reflexes: moro, neck righting reflex
Spasticity/clonus: usually after 2 years of age
Scoliosis: as spasticity increases

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8
Q

Symptoms

A
  • Abnormal movements: persistent cramped synchronous movements <3 months
  • Toe walking/knee hyperextension: unilateral if hemiplegia, bilateral in diplegia
  • Scissoring: hip adductor spasticity causing legs to cross
  • Contractures
  • Muscle weakness
  • Joint dislocation: as spasticity increases
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9
Q

Diagnosis

A

MRI Brain:
- periventricular leukomalacia,
- congenital malformation,
- stroke or haemorrhage,
- cystic lesions
Consider:
- CT brain: suspected trauma
- USS brain: less sensitive than MRI
- Coagulation screen: if thrombotic cause suspected
- Metabolic screen: if inborn errors of metabolism suspected
- Gait analysis: toe-walking, scissoring gait

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10
Q

Treatment

A
  • Physiotherapy: mobility training, strength training, orthotics
  • Occupational therapy: manual and cognitive therapy exercises, adaptive equipment
  • Speech therapy: aiming to reach developmental milestones, swallow assessment
  • Dietician: to ensure adequate intake
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11
Q

Symptom control

A
  • Sialorrhea: Glycopyrronium bromide, hyoscine hydrobromide
  • Spasticity: Botulinum toxin A, phenol
  • Constipation: Laxatives
  • GORD: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors
  • Mental health: SSRIs, anxiolytics
  • Insomnia: Melatonin, sedative e.g. zopiclone
  • Epilepsy: antiepileptics
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12
Q

Complications

A
  • Intellectual disability
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Increased aspiration risk
  • Behavioural problems
  • Epilepsy
  • Constipation
  • Sleep disturbances
  • GORD
  • Incontinence
  • Siallorhoea: excess saliva formation
  • Low visual acuity
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Microcephaly
  • Mental health problems: anxiety and depression
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